How to view files in binary from bash?

xxd does both binary and hexadecimal.

bin:

xxd -b file

hex:

xxd file

hexdump -C yourfile.bin

unless you want to edit it of course. Most linux distros have hexdump by default (but obviously not all).

vi your_filename

hit esc

Type :%!xxd to view the hex strings, the n :%!xxd -r to return to normal editing.