Well, I was about to write a blog on “How to Install Snow Leopard From an External Hard Drive”. So, When I was planning to upload the “snowleopard_10a432_userdvd.dmg” file which is about 6.5GB. I was thinking should I use a Third Party tool to split the file and ask users (you) to download the same third party tool to concat the file ? OR Should I write the Terminal commands in the post so that the users will get an opportunity to learn more about Terminal.

Well, this thinking process made me to write this post – “How to Split and Concat a Large File Using Terminal”. I personally avoid using third part tools. Just because, I would like to get things done with what I have in my Mac. – Not that I don’t like Third Party Tools – .

Well, lets get started with SPLIT

Step 1: I would create 2 Folder (1. Orignal File & 2. Output Files). Name it as you like. I made them, ToSplit and ToUpload.

Step 2: Open Terminal. Finder >> GO >> Utilities >> Terminal OR “SHIFT+COMMAND+U” >>  Terminal

Step 3: At the prompt type “split -b ” and type the part size to split in (bytes or megabyter) “b ” or “m “. (Where “split” is the command to split, “-b” stands for file size of the output files, “b” stands in bytes, “m” stands in megabytes)

Step 4: Now drag the file which you want to split into the Terminal Window.

Step 5: Now drag the folder where you want to place all these file parts into the Terminal Window.

Step 6: Now, type the Output File name. (Anything you like). In my case I name it SLPART.dmg

Step 7: Hit Enter. This process may take time depending on the size of your file and number of file parts.

Step 8: Once you get the prompt back in the Terminal. Go take a look at the OutPut Folder.

So, this very exciting. We don’t need any third party tool to break this file into pieces. Please take a look at the command and result in my case.

Okay!! Now its time for us to Concat the broken file.

Step 1: I would create 2 Folder (1. Splitted Files & 2. Output File). Name it as you like. I made them, ToConcat and FinalFile.

Step 2: Open Terminal. Finder >> GO >> Utilities >> Terminal OR “SHIFT+COMMAND+U” >>  Terminal

Step 3: At the prompt type “cat ” and start dragging all splitted files into the Terminal window (Make sure you drag them in a sequence “aa, ab, ac, ad, ae, af, ag, ah, ai………”)

Step 4: Once you are done with all files. Type “> ”

Step 5: Now drag the folder path into the Terminal window and type an output file name at the end.(What ever you desire to name it.). In this case I have typed “snowleopard_10a432_userdvd.dmg”.

Step 6: Hit “Enter”. Now go take a look at the FinalFile Folder. You should see your Actual File. Here are some Screenshots.

Great! Now we know how to Split the File and Concat the splitted files..

This terminal trick is very easy to use. But, it involves some level on typing.

Well, Happy Typing…..

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