Cat command

The cat command is used to concatenate files and display on the standard output (screen).

Quick File Creation With cat

Type the following command to create a file called demo.txt:

cat > demo.txt

Sample session:

This is a demo.
This is a test.
[Press CTRL+D to save the file]

• cat copies to standard output. To save the changes hit ctrl+d, which goes to the file demo.txt

Quickly View File With cat

Type the following command:

cat /etc/passwd

Number All Output Lines

cat -n /etc/passwd

Shell All Including Tabs and Nonprinting Characters

cat -A /path/to/file

Recommend Readings

You can view cat command man page by typing the following command at a shell prompt:

man cat

See also

• Linux / Unix: Cat Command Examples
• HowTo: Use cat Command In Linux / UNIX