Which Unix/Linux command sorts the lines of a file in reverse (descending) order directly from the command line?

Introduction / Context:
Sorting text data is fundamental in log analysis, report generation, and data cleaning. The standard 'sort' utility can order lines lexicographically or numerically, and supports reversing the order with a simple switch for quick, scriptable transformations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• You have a text file whose lines need reverse ordering.
• Default collation is acceptable (or you will add keys/switches).
• You want a one-liner solution.

Concept / Approach:
'sort -r file' outputs the same lines in descending order. Combine with '-n' for numeric reverse order ('sort -nr'), or specify keys with '-k' for column-based sorts. Piping from another command is common in Unix pipelines to reverse-stream data on the fly.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare 'sort file' vs 'sort -r file' outputs to confirm reversed ordering. For numbers, add '-n' and verify correct numeric treatment rather than string ordering.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• sort: Sorts ascending by default, not reverse.
• sh / st: Not sorting commands.
• None of the above: Incorrect because 'sort -r' is correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting '-n' for numeric data, locale-collation surprises, or neglecting '-k' when sorting on specific fields.

Final Answer:
sort -r