49 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
49 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
title: Bash cat
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Bash command: cat
|
|
|
|
The bash command `cat` is one of the most frequently used commands in Unix operating systems. It is used to read a file sequentially and print it to the standard output.
|
|
The command's name is derived from its function to con**cat**enate files.
|
|
|
|
The cat command can also be used to create a text file.
|
|
|
|
### Usage
|
|
|
|
```bash
|
|
cat [options] [file_names]
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
Most used options:
|
|
|
|
* `-b`, numer non-blank output lines
|
|
* `-n`, number all output lines
|
|
* `-s`, squeeze multiple adjacent blank lines
|
|
* `-v`, display nonprinting characters, except for tabs and the end of line character
|
|
|
|
### Example
|
|
|
|
Print in terminal the content of file.txt:
|
|
```bash
|
|
cat file.txt
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
Concatenate the content of the two files and display the result in terminal:
|
|
```bash
|
|
cat file1.txt file2.txt
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
|
|
**Tip**: Using `cat` on a directory will cause error, so make sure it's a readable file.
|
|
|
|
Creating a new text file:
|
|
```bash
|
|
cat > yourfile.txt
|
|
```
|
|
After pressing Enter, the cursor will be placed on the next line. You can start entering your desired text directly into your file. Press Ctrl+D or Ctrl+C to exit the file.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#### More Information:
|
|
* Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_(Unix)
|