What Does the Head Command Do in Linux?
Contents

The head command, as the name implies, print the top N number of data of the given input. By default, it prints the first 10 lines of the specified files. If more than one file name is provided then data from each file is preceded by its file name.

What is the use of head command in Linux?

The head command writes to standard output a specified number of lines or bytes of each of the specified files, or of the standard input. If no flag is specified with the head command, the first 10 lines are displayed by default. The File parameter specifies the names of the input files.

How do you use the head command?

How to Use the Head Command

  1. Enter the head command, followed by the file of which you’d like to view: head /var/log/auth.log. …
  2. To change the number of lines displayed, use the -n option: head -n 50 /var/log/auth.log.
Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.

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