cat file but don't quit

Ephracis · 08-26-2006, 12:34 AM

I am having a problem. I want to read a file, just like when using cat, but I want to keep waiting for a new line instead of quitting when it reaches the end of the file. Or if anyone has any better idea of how to print out all the content of a logfile to stdout as the new entries in the logfile appear.

Hope I made myself clear enough.

gilead · 08-26-2006, 12:46 AM

Have a look at man tail - it should do what you want. For example, the following will open a log file and leave the output waiting for new lines from the log:

Code:

tail -f /var/log/messages

Ephracis · 08-26-2006, 12:56 AM

Thanks! :D