Linux Shells by Example

less—opposite of more

less -?
less --help
less -V
less --version
less [-[+]aBcCdeEfgGiImMnNqQrsSuUVwX][-b bufs] [-h lines] [-j line]
   [-k keyfile][-{oO} logfile] [-p pattern] [-P prompt] [-t tag]
   [-T tagsfile] [-x tab] [-y lines] [-[z] lines] [+[+]cmd] [--]
   [filename]…

less is a program similar to more, but which allows backward movement in the file as well as forward movement. Also, less does not have to read the entire input file before starting, so with large input files it starts up faster than text editors like vi. less uses termcal (or terminfo on some systems), so it can run on a variety of terminals. There is even limited support for hardcopy terminals.