less (display file one page at a time)
Displays a file to the screen. It displays one screen, and then waits. The less command is a newer version of the more command. less has both options and commands. Commands are typed while less is running, displaying the file. Commands are similar to vi commands. Pressing a key when less has displayed a screen full of text and is waiting for input tells less what to display next.
Format: less filename
Examples: less file1.txt
The less command has many more commands and options than the more command.
Opt | What It Does | Examples |
---|---|---|
? | Display help file | less -? |
-m | Display a long prompt | less -m |
-ppattern | Start display where first pattern is found | less +pa* |
Command | What It Does |
---|---|
<space> | Display next screen |
n<Enter> | Display the next ... |
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