head(1)head(1)NAMEhead - Displays the beginning of files
SYNOPSIS
Current Syntax
head [-c bytes] [-n lines] [file...]
Obsolescent Syntax
head [-lines] [file...]
STANDARDS
Interfaces documented on this reference page conform to industry stan‐
dards as follows:
head: XCU5.0
Refer to the standards(5) reference page for more information about
industry standards and associated tags.
OPTIONS
The default count is 10. [Tru64 UNIX] Specifies the number of bytes
to display. If the last byte written is not a newline character, a new‐
line character is appended to the output. Specifies the number of
lines to display Works exactly as -n lines. Obsolescent.
OPERANDS
Path name of the input file. If you do not specify a file, head reads
standard input.
DESCRIPTION
The head command copies the standard input to standard output, ending
output of each file at the specified point.
NOTES
The obsolescent form is subject to withdrawal at any time.
EXIT STATUS
The following exit values are returned: Successful completion. An
error occurred.
EXAMPLES
To display the first 5 lines of a file called test, enter: head-n 5
test To display the first ten lines of all files (except those with a
name beginning with a period), enter: head *
ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
The following environment variables affect the execution of head: Pro‐
vides a default value for the internationalization variables that are
unset or null. If LANG is unset or null, the corresponding value from
the default locale is used. If any of the internationalization vari‐
ables contain an invalid setting, the utility behaves as if none of the
variables had been defined. If set to a non-empty string value, over‐
rides the values of all the other internationalization variables.
Determines the locale for the interpretation of sequences of bytes of
text data as characters (for example, single-byte as opposed to multi‐
byte characters in arguments and input files). Determines the locale
for the format and contents of diagnostic messages written to standard
error. Determines the location of message catalogues for the process‐
ing of LC_MESSAGES.
SEE ALSO
Commands: cat(1), more(1), pg(1), sed(1), tail(1)
Standards: standards(5)head(1)