File redirection before command

Asked Jan 08 '20 at 17:40

Active Jan 08 '20 at 17:55

Viewed 45 times

I tested two commands that produce the same output:

$ wc -l < input_file
6
$ < input_file wc -l
6

The first command redirects input_file to stdin which is then read by wc. I don't understand the second command and would appreciate an explanation.

asked Jan 08 '20 at 17:40

builder-7000

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They're equivalent. Redirection can be anywhere on the line. – Barmar Jan 08 '20 at 17:41
2

you can even write `wc < input_file -l` – Barmar Jan 08 '20 at 17:42
1

See https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/223882/posix-placement-of-stdin-redirection-in-cmd-vs-cmd-in – Barmar Jan 08 '20 at 17:49

File redirection before command

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