NAME

cat − concatenate and print files

SYNOPSIS

cat [ −u ] [ −s ] file ...

DESCRIPTION

Cat reads each file in sequence and writes it on the standard output. 

If no input file is given, or if the argument − is encountered, cat reads from the standard input file.  Output is buffered unless the −u option is specified.  The −s option makes cat silent about non-existent files.  No input file may be the same as the output file unless it is a special file. 

EXAMPLE

cat file

prints the file, and:

cat file1 file2 > file3

concatenates the first two files and places the result in the third. 

WARNING

Command formats such as

cat file1 file2 >file1

will cause the original data in file1 to be lost, therefore, take care when using shell special characters. 

SEE ALSO

cp(1), pr(1). 

Version 2.3  —  July 04, 1985