Different line feed under UNIX and DOS

Support knowledgebase (crlf)

SuSE Linux: All versions

Symptom:

• A text file written under Linux has no 'new lines' under DOS.
• A text file written under DOS has an ^M at the end of the line.

Cause:

• Under Unix the end of line is settled with a line feed (LF).
• Under DOS, the end of line is settled with a carriage return (CR) and a line feed (LF).

Solution:

• A UNIX file can be changed into a DOS file by the use of the command unix2dos file. Now one is able to read it using DOS, e.g.:

  cd /tmp
  cp /etc/printcap .
  unix2dos printcap
  

• A dos file can be changed into a UNIX file by the use of the command dos2unix file. Now one is able to read it under Linux, e.g.:

  cd /tmp
  cp /dos/autoexec.bat .
  unix2dos autoexec.bat