Name
file
Synopsis
file [options] files
Description
Classify the named files according to the type of data they contain. file checks the magic file (usually /usr/share/magic) to identify some file types.
Options
- -b
Brief mode; do not prepend filenames to output lines.
- -c
Check the format of the magic file (files argument is invalid with -c). Usually used with -m.
- -f file
Read the names of files to be checked from file.
- -L
Follow symbolic links. By default, symbolic links are not followed.
- -m file
Search for file types in file instead of /usr/share/magic.
- -n
Flush standard output after checking a file.
- -s
Check files that are block or character special files in addition to checking ordinary files.
- -v
Print the version.
- -z
Attempt checking of compressed files.
Many file types are understood. Output lists each filename, followed by a brief classification such as:
ascii text c program text c-shell commands data empty iAPX 386 executable directory [nt]roff, tbl, or eqn input text shell commands symbolic link to ../usr/etc/arp
Example
List all files that are deemed to be troff/nroff input:
file * | grep roff
Get Linux in a Nutshell, Third Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.