View a file with line numbers

0 
 $ grep -n ^ /path/to/file | less

Nov. 9, 2011, 11:05 p.m. — Janos

Explanation

  • grep ^ will match all lines in a file
  • grep -n will prefix each line of output with the line number within its input file

Limitations

In some systems you might have to use egrep instead of grep.

Alternative one-liners

1

View a file with line numbers 

 $ cat -n /path/to/file | less

Feb. 13, 2012, 5:14 p.m. — openiduser28

Explanation

cat -n will number all lines of a file.

Limitations

It will add some white spaces as padding.