UNIX in a Nutshell: System V Edition

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UNIX Commands
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cat

cat [options] [files]

Read one or more files and print them on standard output. Read standard input if no files are specified or if - is specified as one of the files; end input with EOF. You can use the > operator to combine several files into a new file; use >> to append files to an existing file.

Options

-e

Print a $ to mark the end of each line. Must be used with -v.

-s

Suppress messages about nonexistent files. (Note: In the BSD version, -s squeezes out extra blank lines.)

-t

Print each tab as ^I and each form feed as ^L. Must be used with -v.

-u

Print output as unbuffered (default is buffered in blocks or screen lines).

-v

Display control characters and other nonprinting characters.

Examples

cat ch1		Display a file.
cat ch1 ch2 ch3 > all		Combine files.
cat note5 >> notes		Append to a file.
cat > temp1		Create file at terminal; end with EOF.
cat > temp2 << STOP		Create file at terminal; end with STOP.


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