head [options] [files]

Print the first few lines (default is 10) of one or more files to standard output. If files is missing or -, read from standard input. With
more than one file, print a header for each file showing the filename.

Options
-c num[b|k|m], --bytes num[b|k|m]
Print first num bytes or, if num is followed by b, k, or m, first num 512-byte blocks, 1-kilobyte blocks, or 1-megabyte blocks.
--help
Display help and then exit.
-n num, --lines num, -num
Print first num lines. Default is 10.
-q, --quiet, --silent
Quiet mode; never print headers giving filenames.
-v, --verbose
Print filename headers, even for only one file.
--version
Output version information and then exit.

Examples:

head -20 phone_list      Display the first 20 lines of phone_list:

head -n1 /etc/issue       Show name and version of distribution