Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide
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# 12.7. Keep `ls` Output from Scrolling

Whenever I type `ls` I can barely see the output of the directory because it scrolls by too quickly. How can I actually read the output?

To prevent the output of `ls` from scrolling by too quickly, pipe the output to a utility such as `less` or `more`. You are then able to see the output one screen at at time.

To read the contents of `/etc` with `less`, type the following command at the shell prompt:

    ls -al /etc | less

To move forward a screen, press <KEYCAP >[Space]</KEYCAP > bar; to move back a screen, press the <KEYCAP >[b]</KEYCAP > key; to quit, press <KEYCAP >[q]</KEYCAP >.

You can achieve the same results with `more`, another paging utility.

## 12.7.1. Printing ls Output

You can also print directory listings by piping the output to a printer in the same way that you piped the output to your screen. If you have configured a printer, type the following to pipe the output of a command to the printer:

    ls -al /etc | lpr

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