Forrest logo
back to the less tool

less:tldr:06cfa

less: Open a file.
$ less ${source_file}
try on your machine

The command "less ${source_file}" is used to view the contents of a file in a terminal using the less command.

Here's a breakdown of the command:

  • "less": It is a command-line pager utility in Unix and Linux systems. It allows users to view the contents of a text file one page at a time, providing an interactive way to navigate through large files.

  • "${source_file}": This is a placeholder that should be replaced with the actual name of the file you want to view. It represents the path or name of the source file you want to display.

When you execute the command "less ${source_file}", the less utility will open the specified file and display its contents in the terminal window. You can then scroll through the file using the arrow keys, page up/down keys, or other navigation keys. Pressing "q" will exit the less viewer and return you to the command prompt.

This explanation was created by an AI. In most cases those are correct. But please always be careful and never run a command you are not sure if it is safe.
back to the less tool