Files
git.softwareshinobi.com/docs/Linux-Commands/Terminal-Experience/132-the-less-command.md
Software Shinobi ba2080733d
All checks were successful
learn org at code.softwareshinobi.com/git.softwareshinobi.com/pipeline/head This commit looks good
automated terminal push
2025-06-04 20:15:25 -04:00

45 lines
1.4 KiB
Markdown
Executable File

# The `less` command
The less command is a Linux terminal pager which shows a file's content one screen at a time.
Useful when dealing with a large text file because it doesn't load the entire file but accesses it page by page, resulting in fast loading speeds.
## Syntax
```
less [options] file_path
```
## Options
Some popular option flags include:
```
-E less automatically exits upon reaching the end of file.
-f Forces less to open non-regular files (a directory or a device-special file).
-F Exit less if the entire file can be displayed on the first screen.
-g Highlights the string last found using search. By default, less highlights all strings matching the last search command.
-G Removes all highlights from strings found using search.
```
For a complete list of options, refer to the less help file by running:
```
less --help
```
## Few Examples:
1. Open a Text File
```
less /etc/updatedb.conf
```
2. Show Line Numbers
```
less -N /etc/init/mysql.conf
```
3. Open File with Pattern Search
```
less -pERROR /etc/init/mysql.conf
```
4. Remove Multiple Blank Lines
```
less welcome.txt
```
Here I showed you how to use the less command in Linux. Although there are other terminal pagers, such as most and more, but less could be a better choice as it is a powerful tool present in almost every system.
For more details: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/less-command-in-linux#:~:text=The%20less%20command%20is%20a,resulting%20in%20fast%20loading%20speeds.