How to Use the Tail Command in Linux

A utility command in Linux to view a portion of file content. It can be used to view the beginning, the end or specific line of the file.

General syntax for tail command:

$ tail [OPTION...] [FILE...]
Display the exact number of lines
tail -n [number] [file]

Using this option allows you to get the tail command to produce output that will display a certain number of lines in a file.

Example: Displaying the last three lines of the example.txt file.

display number of linesdisplay number of lines
Display lines starting from a specific line number
tail +[number] [file]

The command with the + sign outputs data starting from the specified line number.

Example: Using the tail command to print all lines after the first four lines of the example.txt file.

display starting from numberdisplay starting from number
Display multiple files
tail [file1] [file2]

Use this command to display the data of multiple files at the same time.

Example: Displaying both files new1.txt and new2.txt using the tail command.

display multiple filesdisplay multiple files
Output a certain number of bytes
tail -c [bytes] [file]

To display a specific number of bytes in a text file, use the -c option.

Example: This command displays the last 36 bytes of the example.txt file.

ouput number of bytesouput number of bytes
Use multiple commands at once
tail [file] | [other_command]

Use the tail command with pipes | to use it in conjunction with another command.

Example: Using the sort command with the tail command to display and sort the contents of the example.txt file alphabetically.

use multiple command at onceuse multiple command at once
Monitor files in real-time
tail -f [file]

The -f option is used to track file changes. When new log entries are added to the log file, it updates the display in the terminal window.

Example: Displaying the last changes of the auth.log file in the terminal.

monitor files realtimemonitor files realtime

The post How to Use the Tail Command in Linux appeared first on Hongkiat.

from Signage https://ift.tt/09uZhF1
via Irvine Sign Company