(coreutils) head invocation

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(coreutils) Output of parts of files

(coreutils) tail invocation

 
 5.1 `head': Output the first part of files
 ==========================================
 
 `head' prints the first part (10 lines by default) of each FILE; it
 reads from standard input if no files are given or when given a FILE of
 `-'.  Synopsis:
 
      head [OPTION]... [FILE]...
 
    If more than one FILE is specified, `head' prints a one-line header
 consisting of:
 
      ==> FILE NAME <==
 
 before the output for each FILE.
 
    The program accepts the following options.  Also see  Common
 options.
 
 `-c K'
 `--bytes=K'
      Print the first K bytes, instead of initial lines.  However, if K
      starts with a `-', print all but the last K bytes of each file.  K
      may be, or may be an integer optionally followed by, one of the
      following multiplicative suffixes:
           `b'  =>            512 ("blocks")
           `KB' =>           1000 (KiloBytes)
           `K'  =>           1024 (KibiBytes)
           `MB' =>      1000*1000 (MegaBytes)
           `M'  =>      1024*1024 (MebiBytes)
           `GB' => 1000*1000*1000 (GigaBytes)
           `G'  => 1024*1024*1024 (GibiBytes)
      and so on for `T', `P', `E', `Z', and `Y'.
 
 `-n K'
 `--lines=K'
      Output the first K lines.  However, if K starts with a `-', print
      all but the last K lines of each file.  Size multiplier suffixes
      are the same as with the `-c' option.
 
 `-q'
 `--quiet'
 `--silent'
      Never print file name headers.
 
 `-v'
 `--verbose'
      Always print file name headers.
 
 
    For compatibility `head' also supports an obsolete option syntax
 `-COUNTOPTIONS', which is recognized only if it is specified first.
 COUNT is a decimal number optionally followed by a size letter (`b',
 `k', `m') as in `-c', or `l' to mean count by lines, or other option
 letters (`cqv').  Scripts intended for standard hosts should use `-c
 COUNT' or `-n COUNT' instead.  If your script must also run on hosts
 that support only the obsolete syntax, it is usually simpler to avoid
 `head', e.g., by using `sed 5q' instead of `head -5'.
 
    An exit status of zero indicates success, and a nonzero value
 indicates failure.
 

Info Catalog

(coreutils) Output of parts of files

(coreutils) tail invocation