Viewing File Endings with tail

Occasionally, you might also need to use tail, which displays the last lines of a file. tail is particularly handy for checking footers or for updating information in a footer (see Code Listing 6.5). Just as with head (described in the previous pages), tail offers several options for viewing files.

Code Listing 6.5. tail lets you check out just the end of files.

[ejr@hobbes manipulate]$ tail honeydo
Empty diaper pails
Take garbage out.
—End of today's list—

Buy more garbage bags
Get cleaning supplies at store
Take cat to vet
Fix lawnmower

[ejr@hobbes manipulate]$

To view file endings with tail:

• tail honeydo

  At the shell prompt, type tail followed by the filename. As Code Listing 6.5 shows, you’ll see the last ten lines on the screen.

To view a specified number of lines:

• tail -15 honeydo

  Here, all you do is add a specific number of lines you want to view (-15).

To view the endings of multiple files:

• tail honey* | more

  Pipe the tail command and the files (multiple files indicated with *) to more (Code Listing 6.6).

Code Listing 6.6. Use tail with more to see the ends of multiple files.

[ejr@hobbesmanipulate]$ tailhoney*|more
==> honeyconsider <==
Cat mess in entry to clean up
Cat mess in living room to clean up
Toddler mess in family room to clean up
Cat and toddler mess in den to clean up
IRS called again today
Neighbors on both sides looking for donations
          for the annual fund drive
Boss called last Friday and said it's urgent
-End of today's list-

==> honeydo <==
Empty diaper pails
Take garbage out
—End of today's list

Buy more garbage bags
Get cleaning supplies at store
Take cat to vet
Fix lawnmower

—More—