svn cat
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## Name

svn cat — Output the contents of the specified files or URLs.

## Synopsis

`svn cat TARGET[@REV]...`

## Description

Output the contents of the specified files or URLs. For listing the contents of directories, see svn list later in this chapter.

## Options

    --revision (-r) REV

## Examples

If you want to view `readme.txt` in your repository without checking it out:

    $ svn cat http://svn.red-bean.com/repos/test/readme.txt
    This is a README file.
    Don't bother reading it.  The boss is a knucklehead.

    INSTRUCTIONS
    ============

    Step 1:  Do this.

    Step 2:  Do that.
    $

You can view specific versions of files, too.

    $ svn cat -r 3 http://svn.red-bean.com/repos/test/readme.txt
    This is a README file.

    INSTRUCTIONS
    ============

    Step 1:  Do this.

    Step 2:  Do that.
    $

| Note
You might develop a reflex action of using svn cat to view your working file contents. But keep in mind that the default peg revision for svn cat when used on a working copy file target is `BASE`, the unmodified base revision of that file. Don't be surprised when a simple `svn cat /path/to/file` invocation fails to display your local modifications to that file!

| Tip
If your working copy is out of date (or you have local modifications) and you want to see the `HEAD` revision of a file in your working copy, use the `--revision` (`-r`) option: `svn cat -r HEAD `FILENAME``

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