Technical Briefs

ROHAN help Files

less

less is similar to the more filter. Each copies text to the terminal a screenful at a time, then awaits a command. But, less allows backwards 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 like vi.

less uses termcap, 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.)

Commands are based on both more and vi. Commands may be preceeded by a decimal number which is used by some commands. Pressing the SPACE bar goes on to the next screenful; b goes back one screenful; G goes to the end of the input file, etc. For more info see the man-page. Syntax is:

rohan%  man  less