Head Command Linux Examples

Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Abhishek Sharma

Linux command-line tools are powerful and versatile, and the "head" command is no exception. The "head" command allows you to view the beginning of a file or data stream quickly, making it an invaluable tool for system administrators, programmers, and anyone working with large datasets. In this article, we will explore the "head" command in detail, providing practical examples to help you grasp its utility and versatility. Whether you’re a Linux novice or a seasoned pro, this guide will enhance your knowledge of the "head" command and its myriad applications. Read on to discover how to harness the power of "head" in Linux and simplify your data processing tasks.

What are head command linux examples?

The head command in Linux is used to display the beginning (head) of a text file or a data stream. By default, it displays the first 10 lines of the file. However, you can specify the number of lines you want to see or even display the beginning of a file in bytes instead of lines. Here are some examples of how to use the head command:

Basic Usage of Head Command in Linux:

Here are some Basic Usage:
1. Display the first 10 lines of a file:

head filename.txt

2. Display the first 5 lines of a file:

head -n 5 filename.txt

3. Display the first 1000 bytes of a file:

head -c 1000 filename.txt

Combining with Other Commands:

1. Use head with cat to display the first 10 lines of multiple files:

cat file1.txt file2.txt | head

2. Use head to display the first 10 lines of a file and save it to a new file:

head filename.txt > newfile.txt

Displaying File Headers:

Display the header of a CSV file (e.g., first line) to view column names:

head -n 1 data.csv

Displaying Log Files:

Display the first 20 lines of a log file for troubleshooting:

head -n 20 logfile.log

Viewing the Contents of Configuration Files:

Display the beginning of a configuration file, e.g., first 30 lines:

head -n 30 /etc/config.conf

These are just a few examples of how you can use the head command in Linux to view the beginning of files or data streams. The head command is a handy tool for quickly inspecting the initial content of files, which can be especially useful in various system administration and data analysis tasks.

Conclusion
The head command in Linux is a simple yet invaluable tool that empowers users to view the beginning of files and data streams efficiently. With a myriad of options and practical use cases, it is an essential command for system administrators, developers, and anyone working with data. By mastering the "head" command, you can streamline your workflow, troubleshoot issues, and gain better control over your data. As you become more proficient with this tool, you’ll be better equipped to handle various tasks, whether it’s previewing log files, examining data structures, or managing text-based data files. The examples and insights provided in this article are a starting point for your journey to becoming a Linux command-line maestro. So, dive in, practice, and make the "head" command an integral part of your Linux skill set.

FAQ Related to head command linux examples

Here are some FAQs related to head command linux examples.

Q1: What is the basic usage of the "head" command in Linux?
A1: The "head" command in Linux is primarily used to display the beginning of a file. By default, it shows the first 10 lines of a file. For example, you can use it as follows: head filename.txt.

Q2: Can I change the number of lines displayed by the "head" command?
A2: Yes, you can specify the number of lines you want to display by using the -n option. For instance, to show the first 20 lines of a file, you can use head -n 20 filename.txt.

Q3: How can I display the first N bytes of a file with the "head" command?
A3: You can display the first N bytes of a file by using the -c option. For example, to show the first 1000 bytes of a file, use head -c 1000 filename.txt.

Q4: What are some advanced uses of the "head" command?
A4: The "head" command is versatile and can be combined with other commands in pipelines. It’s useful for tasks like extracting headers from CSV files, displaying the beginning of log files, or previewing the contents of large text files without loading the entire file into memory.

Q5: Can I use the "head" command to display lines from the end of a file?
A5: No, the "head" command is specifically designed to display lines from the beginning of a file. If you want to display lines from the end of a file, you can use the "tail" command.