The zless command in Linux is used to view the contents of compressed files (usually compressed with gzip) in a paginated manner, allowing you to scroll through the compressed file one screen at a time. It is similar to the less command but designed specifically for compressed files.
The basic syntax of the zless command is as follows:
zless [options] [compressed_file]Here’s a table explaining the main parameters and options of the zless command:
| Parameter/Option | Description |
|---|---|
| compressed_file | Specifies the name of the compressed file you want to view. |
| -n, –line=N | Start at line N in the file. By default, it starts at the beginning. |
| -c, –clear-screen | Clear the screen before displaying the file. |
| -r, –raw | Output “raw” control characters (e.g., ^C) instead of displaying them in caret notation (e.g., ^C). |
| -S, –chop-long-lines | Do not fold long lines; display them as-is. |
| –help | Display help and exit. |
| –version | Output version information and exit. |
Now, let’s see some examples of how to use the zless command:
- View the contents of a compressed file:
zless compressed_file.gzThis will display the compressed contents of compressed_file.gz, allowing you to scroll through the file one screen at a time.
- Start viewing the compressed file from a specific line:
zless -n 50 compressed_file.gzThis will start displaying the compressed file compressed_file.gz from line 50.
- Clear the screen before displaying the compressed file:
zless -c compressed_file.gzThis will clear the terminal screen before displaying the contents of compressed_file.gz.
- View the compressed file without folding long lines:
zless -S compressed_file.gzThis will display the contents of compressed_file.gz without breaking long lines.
The zless command is a useful tool for reading compressed files in a paginated manner, making it convenient for inspecting large compressed logs or other data files. It allows you to view compressed data without the need to decompress it manually.