If I execute ls command with pipe to less, I get strange output <pre class="prettyprint"><code>ESC[00mESC[00mfile1.ccESC[00m ESC[00file2.ccESC[00m ESC[00file3.ccESC[00m </code></pre> (means ESC string in between). Without ls, the output is: <pre class="prettyprint"><code>file1.cc file2.cc file3.cc </code></pre> How to correct this?

I'm guessing that you have the <code>--color=always</code> option to <code>ls</code> set, either through an alias, functions or the <code>LS_COLORS</code> environment variable and <code>ls</code> is sending color directives to a non-terminal (that is, your pipe to <code>less</code>).

UNIX: Strange output if piped to less

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command

unix

If I execute ls command with pipe to less, I get strange output

ESC[00mESC[00mfile1.ccESC[00m
ESC[00file2.ccESC[00m
ESC[00file3.ccESC[00m

(means ESC string in between).

Without ls, the output is:

file1.cc    file2.cc    file3.cc

How to correct this?

763

asked Jan 22 '23 07:01

avd

1 Answers

I'm guessing that you have the --color=always option to ls set, either through an alias, functions or the LS_COLORS environment variable and ls is sending color directives to a non-terminal (that is, your pipe to less).

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