elf_kind(3E)                   (ELF Library)                   elf_kind(3E)


   NAME
         elf_kind - determine file type

   SYNOPSIS
         cc [flag ...] file ...  -lelf [library ...]

         #include <libelf.h>
         Elf_Kind elf_kind(Elf *elf);

   DESCRIPTION
         This function returns a value identifying the kind of file associated
         with an ELF descriptor (elf).  Currently defined values appear below.

         ELF_K_AR        The file is an archive [see ar(4)].  An ELF
                         descriptor may also be associated with an archive
                         member, not the archive itself, and then elf_kind
                         identifies the member's type.

         ELF_K_COFF      The file is a COFF object file.  elf_begin(3E)
                         describes the library's handling for COFF files.

         ELF_K_ELF       The file is an ELF file.  The program may use
                         elf_getident to determine the class.  Other
                         functions, such as elf_getehdr, are available to
                         retrieve other file information.

         ELF_K_NONE      This indicates a kind of file unknown to the library.

         Other values are reserved, to be assigned as needed to new kinds of
         files.  elf should be a value previously returned by elf_begin.  A
         null pointer is allowed, to simplify error handling, and causes
         elf_kind to return ELF_K_NONE.

   SEE ALSO
         elf(3E), elf_begin(3E), elf_getehdr(3E), elf_getident(3E), ar(4).


















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