less

Linux · Text · available in the simulator

What it does

Advanced pager (allows forward and backward navigation).

Syntax

less [opciones] archivo

Options and parameters

• -N

  Display line numbers.

  less -N archivo.log
• -S

  Chop long lines rather than fold them; enables horizontal scrolling.

• +F

  Follow the file in real time, like tail -f.

  less +F /var/log/syslog
• -i

  Ignore case in searches.

• -F

  Exit immediately if the entire file can be displayed on one screen.

Usage examples

• less archivo.txt
• less -N archivo.txt
• less /var/log/syslog
• less -N archivo.log
• less +F /var/log/syslog

Notes and common mistakes

• Inside less: / searches, n repeats search, q exits.

Related commands

• awk
• cat
• cut
• diff
• grep
• head