Mastering the 'open' Command Variants in Linux: Navigate Beyond 'cat' and 'vim' to Efficiently Access Files

Forget the default vim or cat—discover unconventional yet powerful Linux commands for opening and interacting with files that can make your command line work less tedious, more intuitive, and highly adaptable.

If you're like many Linux users, the moment you need to open a file, your fingers instinctively type vim filename or cat filename. While these commands are reliable staples, Linux offers a treasure trove of other commands specifically designed to open files efficiently depending on your use case. Understanding these options not only boosts your productivity but also helps tailor workflows that fit different environments and file types.

In this post, we'll explore practical "open" command variants beyond the obvious. By the end, you’ll have new go-to tools for browsing, editing, previewing, or even managing files without cluttering your workflow.

Why Go Beyond vim and cat?

• Different needs demand different tools: Quickly previewing a binary file vs. editing a script demands different commands.
• Improve efficiency: Some commands load faster and are lighter on resources.
• Better pipes and scripting: Certain utilities can integrate seamlessly in shell scripts and pipelines.
• Specialized viewing: Viewing structured data formats or media requires dedicated utilities.

Essential Commands to Open and Access Files in Linux

1. less — The Pager That Does More Than Just View

Use less filename when you want to read large files without dumping everything to the terminal at once. Unlike cat, it lets you scroll forwards and backwards effortlessly.

• Keyboard shortcuts:
  • Space: Scroll down one page
  • b: Scroll up one page
  • /pattern: Search forward for “pattern”
  • n: Repeat last search forward

Example:

less /var/log/syslog

2. head & tail — Peek at File Beginnings or Ends

Want to quickly peek at the first or last lines?

head -n 10 filename.txt   # first 10 lines
tail -n 20 filename.log   # last 20 lines
tail -f /var/log/syslog   # live view of appended data (great for log monitoring)

3. xdg-open (or gio open) — Open Files with Default GUI App

If you're working on a Linux desktop environment, sometimes GUI apps provide better handling than terminal editors.

Use:

xdg-open example.pdf

This seamlessly launches the default viewer for PDFs or images without leaving your terminal.

On GNOME-based distros:

gio open example.pdf

4. nano, micro, or Other CLI Editors — Lightweight Alternatives to Vim

Not all users prefer Vim's steep learning curve. Try:

nano myfile.txt    # beginner-friendly editor with visible shortcuts
micro myfile.txt   # modern CLI editor with syntax highlighting and mouse support (if installed)

5. stat — Open File Metadata Without Viewing Contents

To get detailed info about a file (size, permissions, timestamps), run:

stat myfile.txt

This helps when you want to "open" a file’s attributes rather than its contents.

6. Opening Structured Data Formats — Use Domain-Specific Commands

• JSON files:

  jq '.' data.json  
  

• CSV files:

  column -t -s ',' data.csv | less  
  

These commands open data in readable formats instead of raw text dumps.

7. Hexdump Binary Files With xxd or hexdump

Output binary file contents in hex form so you can inspect them safely:

xxd filename.bin | less

or

hexdump -C filename.bin | less

Bonus Tips: Streamlining File Access On The Command Line

• Open files without leaving current shell session: Use screen multiplexers like tmux combined with editors/viewers; split panes let you open multiple files side-by-side.

• Writing quick notes: Use terminal note apps like tldr or edit temporary files via:

nano /tmp/quicknote.txt

• Quick diff checker for two versions of a file:

diff old_version.txt new_version.txt | less

Wrap Up

Knowing more than just how to open a file is crucial for mastering Linux at the command line. Whether it’s scrolling through logs with less, opening PDFs via xdg-open, rapidly inspecting large files with head/tail, or examining binary structure using hexdump—each command shines under different circumstances.

The next time you find yourself typing the default editors mindlessly out of habit—pause and ask what your specific goal is for accessing that file. Then pick the right tool from this versatile arsenal to boost speed, clarity, and ease-of-use in your daily workflow!

Happy exploring your Linux filesystem more efficiently!
Feel free to share your favorite “open” commands in the comments below!

PS: Looking for even more advanced file manipulation tips? Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts on scripting automated workflows in bash.