Viewing the end of a file on Unix/Linux: Which command displays the tail (last lines) of a text file on the terminal by default?

Introduction / Context:When troubleshooting logs or monitoring activity, it is often necessary to see the most recent lines appended to a file. Unix provides a dedicated utility for this purpose, enabling both static viewing and live following.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We want the command that shows the end of a file.
• Default behavior should display the last 10 lines unless otherwise specified.
• We are using standard Unix command-line tools.

Concept / Approach:

The tail utility prints the final portion of files. Common flags include -n for a specific number of lines and -f to follow file growth in real time (useful for log monitoring). Other listed options either do something else or are not valid commands.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Running tail /etc/passwd on a Unix system prints the last 10 entries. Adding -f keeps the file open and prints new additions as they occur, confirming its role for end-of-file viewing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• head -r: head shows the beginning of a file; '-r' is not portable and still would not show the tail.
• eof, bof: Not standard Unix commands; EOF/BOF are concepts, not executables.
• None of the above: Incorrect because 'tail' is correct.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing 'head' and 'tail'; expecting -f to terminate automatically; forgetting to use sudo or appropriate permissions when tailing protected logs.

Final Answer:

tail