less Top Level

less


Less is a program similar to the more program, but which allows
backward movement in the file as well as forward movement.  Also, less
does not have to read the entire input file before starting, so with
large input files it starts up faster than text editors.
Less uses termcap (or terminfo on some systems), so it can run on a
variety of terminals.  There is even limited support for hardcopy
terminals.  (On a hardcopy terminal, lines which should be printed at
the top of the screen are prefixed with an up- arrow.)


To page through a document using less, type:

   world%  less filename

and use the following commands to maneuver within the document:


    In the following descriptions, ^X means control-X.  ESC
          stands for the ESCAPE key; for example ESC-v means the two
          character sequence "ESCAPE", then "v".

          h or H
               Help: display a summary of these commands.  If you
               forget all the other commands, remember this one.

          SPACE or ^V or f or ^F
               Scroll forward N lines, default one window (see option
               -z below).  If N is more than the screen size, only the
               final screenful is displayed.  Warning: some systems
               use ^V as a special literalization character.

          z    Like SPACE, but if N is specified, it becomes the new
               window size.

          RETURN or ^N or e or ^E or j or ^J
               Scroll forward N lines, default 1.  The entire N lines
               are displayed, even if N is more than the screen size.

          d or ^D
               Scroll forward N lines, default one half of the screen
               size.  If N is specified, it becomes the new default
               for subsequent d and u commands.

          b or ^B or ESC-v
               Scroll backward N lines, default one window (see option
               -z below).  If N is more than the screen size, only the
               final screenful is displayed.

          w    Like ESC-v, but if N is specified, it becomes the new
               window size.

          y or ^Y or ^P or k or ^K
               Scroll backward N lines, default 1.  The entire N lines
               are displayed, even if N is more than the screen size.
               Warning: some systems use ^Y as a special job control
               character.

          u or ^U
               Scroll backward N lines, default one half of the screen
               size.  If N is specified, it becomes the new default
               for subsequent d and u commands.

          r or ^R or ^L
               Repaint the screen.

          R    Repaint the screen, discarding any buffered input.
               Useful if the file is changing while it is being
               viewed.

          F    Scroll forward, and keep trying to read when the end of
               file is reached.  Normally this command would be used
               when already at the end of the file.  It is a way to
               monitor the tail of a file which is growing while it is
               being viewed.  (The behavior is similar to the "tail
               -f" command.)

          g or < or ESC-<
               Go to line N in the file, default 1 (beginning of
               file).  (Warning: this may be slow if N is large.)

          G or > or ESC->
               Go to line N in the file, default the end of the file.
               (Warning: this may be slow if N is large, or if N is
               not specified and standard input, rather than a file,
               is being read.)

          p or %
               Go to a position N percent into the file.  N should be
               between 0 and 100.  (This works if standard input is
               being read, but only if less has already read to the
               end of the file.  It is always fast, but not always

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