How to Read File Content on a Linux Terminal

Reading file content on a Linux terminal is a common task, especially for developers and system administrators. Whether you’re inspecting logs, checking configuration files, or viewing text documents, Linux offers several efficient commands for this purpose. In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular methods, along with their features and use cases.

1. cat Command

The cat command (short for "concatenate") is one of the simplest ways to display the entire contents of a file in the terminal.

cat filename.txt

This command outputs the content of filename.txt directly to the terminal. It’s perfect for small files but less convenient for large ones.

2. less Command

For longer files, the less command is a better choice. It allows you to scroll through the content easily.

less filename.txt

• Use the arrow keys to navigate.
• Press q to exit.

The less command is ideal for logs or lengthy documents.

3. more Command

Similar to less, the more command displays content one screen at a time.

more filename.txt

• Press the space bar to move to the next page.
• Exit by pressing q.

While it’s simpler than less, it lacks some of its navigation features.

4. head Command

Need to preview only the first few lines of a file? Use the head command:

head filename.txt

By default, it shows the first 10 lines. You can adjust this with the -n option:

head -n 20 filename.txt  # Show the first 20 lines

5. tail Command

To check the last lines of a file, especially useful for log files, use tail:

tail filename.txt

Customize the number of lines displayed with the -n option:

tail -n 20 filename.txt  # Show the last 20 lines

6. Using nano or vim for Interactive Viewing

If you want to view and edit the file, text editors like nano and vim are great choices.

nano filename.txt

Or:

vim filename.txt

These tools allow you to browse and modify the file’s content within the terminal.

Choosing the Right Command

• For quick viewing: Use cat.
• For large files: Choose less or more.
• For partial previews: Opt for head or tail.
• For editing: Open the file in nano or vim.

Mastering these commands will make navigating and managing files on Linux more efficient and seamless. Experiment with each to find the best fit for your workflow!