How can you view the contents of a text file in the terminal?

Using the command "cat" allows you to view the contents of a text file directly in the terminal. The "cat" command is short for "concatenate," and it effectively displays the entire contents of a file to the standard output (the terminal screen). This command is particularly useful for viewing short text files quickly, as it prints the text line by line in a continuous flow until the entire file is displayed.

The functionality of "cat" fits scenarios such as checking configuration files, reading scripts, or displaying any text-based data you might need to review in a straightforward manner. However, it’s worth noting that if the file is very large, the output may scroll past quickly, making it challenging to read.

While "view," "less," and "more" are also commands used for viewing text files, they add functionality that allows for paging through the file, searching, or navigating both forwards and backwards within the content. These commands are often more suitable for larger files where you need more control over the viewing process.