Unix in a Nutshell, 4th Edition

Name

cat

Synopsis

    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. Use the > shell operator to combine several files into a new file; >> appends files to an existing file.

Solaris and Mac OS X Options

-b

Like -n, but don’t number blank lines.

-e

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

-n

Number lines.

-s

Suppress messages about nonexistent files. (Note: on some systems, -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.

GNU/Linux Options

-A, --show-all

Same as -vET.

-b, --number-nonblank

Number all nonblank output lines, starting with 1.

-e

Same as -vE.

-E, --show-ends

Print $ at the end of each line.

-n, --number

Number all output lines, starting with 1.

-s, --squeeze-blank

Squeeze down multiple blank lines to one blank line.

-t

Same as -vT.

-T, --show-tabs

Print TAB characters as ^I.

-u

Ignored; retained for Unix compatibility.

-v, --show-nonprinting

Display control and nonprinting characters, with the exception of LINEFEED and TAB.

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 << STOPCreate file at terminal; end with STOP ...