filetail

Filetail is a command-line utility designed to monitor and display the end of a file in real-time. It is particularly useful for monitoring log files, as it allows users to view new entries as they are written to the file. This tool is commonly used in Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS, and is included in many standard distributions.

Filetail operates by opening a specified file and displaying its contents from the end. It then waits for new data to be appended to the file and updates the display accordingly. This continuous monitoring makes it an essential tool for system administrators and developers who need to keep track of real-time data.

The basic syntax for using filetail is straightforward. Users simply type "tail -f filename" in the terminal, where "filename" is the name of the file they wish to monitor. The "-f" option stands for "follow," instructing the utility to continue monitoring the file for new entries.

Filetail can also be used with other options to enhance its functionality. For example, the "-n" option allows users to specify the number of lines to display from the end of the file before starting to monitor for new entries. Additionally, the "-s" option can be used to set the interval between updates, which is useful for reducing the load on the system when monitoring large files.

Overall, filetail is a versatile and efficient tool for real-time file monitoring, making it an invaluable asset for anyone working with log files or other dynamically updated text files. Its simplicity and effectiveness have made it a staple in the toolkit of many system administrators and developers.