What command is used to view the contents of a text file?

The command "cat" is commonly used in Unix-based systems to display the contents of a text file in the terminal. By using "cat" followed by the filename, users can quickly view the entire contents of a file without needing to open it in an editor. This command is especially useful for quickly checking configurations, scripts, or logs.

While other commands can also be used to interact with text files, "cat" is specifically designed for outputting file contents, making it the most straightforward option for this task. Other commands like "view" are more focused on providing file viewing capabilities with additional features like scrolling or searching, whereas "open" and "edit" imply actions that are not limited to mere viewing. "Open" typically refers to opening files in a graphical program, and "edit" suggests actually modifying the file, which extends beyond just viewing it.