On: Stop using tail -f (mostly)

[jimktrains2]

GP isn't meaning it like that, they mean being able to add some spaces so that the next log entries stand out for quick visual identification as you're making changes and reloading the application.

[toddkaufmann → jimktrains2]

Use '/' (search) to enter a regexp to match a pattern on that line, and it will be highlighted.

[lgas → toddkaufmann]

This has nothing to do with what is being discussed in this subthread.

[teraflop → lgas]

Sure it does. If your log lines are distinct (e.g. they have timestamps or unique IDs) then you can use less's search highlighting to provide a visual marker for a specific line, similar to what you can do by manually inserting a bunch of blank lines on the console.

This trick doesn't work if your log file has a bunch of identical lines and you want to keep an eye on their rate, though.

[gojomo → teraflop]

Having to remember & type a timestamp has much more mental overhead (planning & memory) than "scan/scroll back to last block of vertical whitespace".

That's why suggestions of either named-marks or back-searches aren't considered equally-attractive alternatives to marking the scrollback with a batch of <return>s.

[shawabawa3 → teraflop]

imagine the scenario: "I want to see everything that happens in a single request"

Enter method:

  1. Press enter a bunch of times
  2. Reload browser
  3. Press enter a bunch of times and scroll up

Your method:

  1. Search for last line in output to highlight it?
  2. Reload page
  3. Try and figure out where stuff starts and ends with loads of visual noise

[teraflop → shawabawa3]

I won't argue that for this specific use case, tail isn't friendlier than less.

But the original poster posted a useful tip, and is now getting aggressive downvotes and comments like "This has nothing to do with what is being discussed in this subthread." I think that's unwarranted.

[MadcapJake → shawabawa3]

less method:

  1. ma
  2. Reload browser
  3. 'a

less method with two marks:

  1. ma
  2. Reload browser
  3. mb
  4. 'a

[ajanuary → MadcapJake]

Unfortunately mark doesn't seem to work while you're following.

[shangxiao → teraflop]

A bunch of blank lines is a lot more grokable than timestamps lost in a bunch of text.