Windows
Linux
Text Processing
Windows findstr /v (invert) equivalent in Linux
Outputs a file with lines in reverse order — last line first. The name is 'cat' backwards.
Windows
→
findstr /v (invert)
Linux equivalents
tac
tac
tac
Overview
What this command does
Outputs a file with lines in reverse order — last line first. The name is 'cat' backwards.
Migration tip:
tac is handy for reading logs where the newest entries are at the bottom — reverse the file so the most recent entries appear first.Practical tasks
Common use cases
Print file in reverse line order
Outputs a file with lines in reverse order — last line first. The name is 'cat' backwards.
tac file.txt
Print file with last line first
tac file | head -20
Last 20 lines in chronological order
tac file | grep pattern
Search from the bottom up
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
tac /var/log/syslog
tac access.log | head -50
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# No direct Windows equivalent
tac /var/log/syslog # newest entries first
tac access.log | head -50 # last 50, most recent firstReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
tac file.txt | Print file with last line first |
tac file | head -20 | Last 20 lines in chronological order |
tac file | grep pattern | Search from the bottom up |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | tac |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | tac |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | tac |
Same command on this distribution. |
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