How to Split and Merge Large Files on Linux Using split and cat

2. Merging files with cat

The cat command concatenates multiple small files back into a single file.

Command syntax cat [-n] [-e] [-t] [FILE ...] Option details -n: number all output lines. -e: display a $ at the end of each line. -t: display TAB characters as ^I. -A (or --show-all): equivalent to -vET, showing non‑printing characters, ends, and tabs. -b: number only non‑blank lines (overrides -n). -s: squeeze repeated empty lines. -u: ignored (historical option for unbuffered output). -v: show non‑printing characters using ^ and M- notation.

Typical usage example

# Reassemble the pieces created by split (numeric suffixes) into the original file
$ cat /data/users_* > users.sql

Help output (selected options)

Usage: cat [OPTION]... [FILE]...

  -A, --show-all          equivalent to -vET
  -b, --number-nonblank   number nonempty output lines, overrides -n
  -e, --show-ends         display $ at end of each line
  -n, --number            number all output lines
  -s, --squeeze-blank    suppress repeated empty output lines
  -t, --show-tabs         display TAB characters as ^I
  -u, --unbuffered        (ignored)
  -v, --show-nonprinting  use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB
  --help                  display this help and exit
  --version               output version information and exit

3. Reference documents

Linux 大文件的分割与合并

Linux 学习–文件分割与合并