Mac OS X Tiger in a Nutshell

Name

cat

Synopsis

cat [options] [files]

Reads one or more files and prints them on standard output. Reads 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.

Options

-b

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

-e

Print a $ to mark the end of each line. Implies the -v option.

-n

Number lines.

-s

Squeeze out extra blank lines.

-t

Print each tab as ^I. Implies the -v option.

-u

Print output as unbuffered (default is buffered in blocks or screen lines).

-v

Display control characters and other nonprinting characters.

Examples

Display a file:

$ cat ch1

Combine files:

$ cat ch1 ch2 ch3 > all

Append to a file:

$ cat note5 >> notes

Create file at terminal; end with EOF:

$ cat > temp1

Create file at terminal; end with STOP:

$ cat > temp2 << STOP