cat

Command for various file operations:

• Viewing file content
• Combining multiple files
• Using useful options:
  • -n: to show line numbers
  • -E: to highlight end-of-line ( this will show $ in the end of line)
  • -A: to show all non printed characters (equivalent to -vET)
  • -b: to number non-blank output lines
  • -s: to suppress repeated empty output lines
  • -T: to display TAB characters as ^|
  • -v: Use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB

Syntax of cat command

cat [options] filename

Create a new file and add content

cat > filename

• type content
• press ctrl+D to save and exit

Copy or merge file contens

cat file1 file2 > merged_file

Open files whose names start with dash (-)

cat -- filename

example:

cat -- -list.txt