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Asked: 2024-09-27T13:38:49+05:30 In:

I am trying to navigate to a specific line in the `less` command on Ubuntu, but it seems I have to input the command twice for it to work properly. Does anyone know why this is happening and how I can resolve it?

I’ve been diving into using the `less` command on Ubuntu lately, and I keep running into this strange issue that I can’t seem to shake off. So here’s the deal: when I try to jump to a specific line in a file using `less`, it feels like I have to input the command twice for it to actually work. It’s driving me a bit crazy!

For example, I’ll type `less +50 myfile.txt` to jump right to line 50, but it doesn’t take me there the first time. Instead, I end up at the top of the file. So then, I’ll have to type it again, and only then does it actually take me to the line I want. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s kinda annoying to keep repeating that command.

I’ve checked out the man pages for `less`, and honestly, it all looks pretty straightforward. I can’t figure out if it’s some weird quirk of my specific system or maybe a setting I’ve overlooked. I’m running Ubuntu 20.04, and everything else seems to be functioning properly. No updates seem to be pending, so I’m not sure what’s going on.

I’ve also tried running it with different files and even different users on my system, but it keeps happening. It’s the same behavior every time. I even experimented with different terminal emulators, but the problem persists.

Does anyone else out there have this issue? Or maybe someone has a solution? It would be great if someone could help me troubleshoot this. I really want to understand why this happens! Any tips on how I can navigate more smoothly with `less`, instead of feeling like I’m stuck in a weird loop? Also, if you’ve faced a similar problem, how did you fix it? I’d really appreciate any insight or experiences you might have.

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    2 Answers



    1. Less Command Issue on Ubuntu

      It sounds super frustrating to deal with the `less` command not working as expected! The first thing to check is if you’re running `less` in a way that might be causing confusion with how it’s interpreting commands. Normally, when you run `less +50 myfile.txt`, it should open the file at line 50 right away.

      Sometimes terminal or shell configurations can interfere with how commands are processed. Here are a few things you can try to troubleshoot:

      • Check for Aliases: You might want to check if there’s an alias set for `less` that could be altering its behavior. Run `alias less` in your terminal and see if anything comes up.
      • Try Using a Different Shell: If you’re using a specific terminal like GNOME Terminal, try running it in a different shell like bash or zsh to see if the issue persists.
      • Open in Alternative Ways: Instead of using the `+line` option, you can try opening the file normally with `less myfile.txt` and then jump to the line after it’s opened by typing `50g` and hitting Enter.
      • Test with Minimal Environment: Sometimes, other configurations can interfere. You can try running `env -i bash –noprofile –norc` to start a minimal shell and then run your `less` command from there.
      • Reinstall Less: If nothing else works, you might consider reinstalling `less` to see if that resolves any weird issues. You can do this with `sudo apt-get remove less` followed by `sudo apt-get install less`.

      It’s worth mentioning that many users have reported similar issues with other command-line tools due to specific terminal configurations, so you’re definitely not alone! Hopefully, one of these tips helps you get to the bottom of it!


    2. It sounds like you’re experiencing a frustrating issue with the `less` command that shouldn’t be happening. The command you’re using, less +50 myfile.txt, is indeed the correct syntax for jumping to line 50 in the specified file. The behavior where it seems to require entering the command twice is not typical and might be due to specific configurations or environment settings in your terminal. One workaround you could try is invoking `less` with alternative options, for example, you could also directly pipe output to `less` like this: cat myfile.txt | less +50. This can help determine if the issue is isolated to the loading mechanism of `less` itself.

      If the problem persists, consider checking if there are any aliases or shell settings that might be affecting your use of `less`. You can verify this by running alias less and looking for any custom configurations. Additionally, ensure your terminal emulator is not causing the problem by testing in a basic console like tty. You may also want to update `less` or check for any bug reports related to your version of Ubuntu. Sharing your findings on platforms like Ubuntu Forums or Stack Overflow could yield insights from others who faced similar issues.

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