What command is used to view a text file without loading the entire file at once for faster access?

The command that allows users to view a text file without loading the entire file at once is "less." This command is particularly useful for accessing large files, as it enables users to scroll through the content at their own pace. Unlike "cat," which concatenates and displays the entire contents of a file all at once, "less" provides a paginated view, allowing users to navigate through the text using keyboard shortcuts.

Moreover, "less" facilitates movements within the file, such as scrolling up and down, searching, and jumping to specific lines or pages. This on-demand access is more efficient for large files as it reduces the memory overhead and improves response time for user commands.

While "more" also allows for paginated viewing, it does not support backward scrolling, making "less" the preferred option for many users who require more flexible navigation capabilities. The "tail" command serves a different purpose, which is to view the last few lines of a file, rather than providing a general viewing experience for the entire file.