mock

mockcat [OPTION]... [FILE]...

-s, --silly
    Prints a predefined silly message instead of displaying the actual content of any specified FILEs. This option overrides any transformation or error simulation.

-e, --error-sim
    Simulates a read error for each specified FILE, printing an error message indicating a problem reading the file. No actual file content is displayed.

-t <type>, --transform <type>
    Applies a whimsical text transformation to the content of each FILE. The available <type> values are:
   reverse: Reverses the order of characters in each line.
   uppercase: Converts all characters to uppercase.
   leet: Converts text to leetspeak (e.g., 'e' -> '3', 'a' -> '4').

-V, --version
    Displays the version information for mockcat and exits.

-h, --help
    Shows the command's help message, including usage and options, and exits.

mockcat is a playful utility designed to mimic the behavior of the standard cat command, but with added features for humorous or testing purposes. Unlike cat, mockcat can intentionally simulate errors, apply whimsical text transformations, or display predefined silly messages instead of actual file content. It's particularly useful for developers who need to test how their scripts handle various outputs, including error conditions, without altering real files or environments. It can also be a fun tool for injecting a bit of lightheartedness into command-line interactions. mockcat processes files sequentially, applying specified options to each file argument. Its core design emphasizes harmless output manipulation, ensuring no file system changes occur.

The command aims to provide a sandbox for experimenting with output formats, making it a unique tool in the Linux utility belt for both educational and entertainment purposes.

mockcat is designed for playful output manipulation and testing purposes. It does not modify any actual files on your system. All error simulations are purely for display and do not reflect real file system or permission issues. Text transformations are basic and might not perfectly handle all complex character encodings or multi-byte characters.

   Display content of 'file.txt' normally (like cat):
      mockcat file.txt

   Print a silly message instead of file content:
      mockcat -s important_doc.md personal_notes.txt

   Simulate an error reading a system file:
      mockcat -e /etc/shadow

   Reverse the text in 'poem.txt':
      mockcat -t reverse poem.txt

   Convert 'secret.conf' to leetspeak:
      mockcat -t leet secret.conf

When the --silly option is used, mockcat will output: "Why did the data byte break up with the network packet? Because they had too many *unresolved dependencies*!" This message is hardcoded and cannot be customized via command-line options.

Conceived in late 2022 as a whimsical side project, mockcat was initially a developer's way to quickly test error output formatting without creating actual error conditions. Its ability to perform silly transformations quickly gained traction in internal dev teams for lighthearted pranks and creative debugging. The project was open-sourced in early 2023, attracting a small community of contributors who appreciated its unique blend of utility and humor. It continues to be maintained as a niche tool for harmless output experimentation and fun.

cat(1), head(1), tail(1), grep(1)