I commonly append to text files using `cat`:

    cat >> FILE

I use an alias to avoid accidentally overwriting the file (with a single `>`):

    alias a='cat >>'

Enter changes the line and <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>D</kbd> terminates the command. I write to multiple text files in my home folder, all of which I've created, own and can edit.

On several occasions, both on my desktop Linux system (Fedora 39) and Termux (Android), the command  has ceased redirecting to a file while accepting input seemingly normally. I've lost hundreds of lines, mainly URLs I've pasted. Appears to only occur when the command has been running for a while.

Are there any reasons why redirection with `cat >>` may cease to function? Do for instance any special characters (in the input) have an effect?