file(1) CLIX file(1)
NAME
file - Determines file type
SYNOPSIS
file [-c] [-f ffile] [-m mfile] arg ...
FLAGS
-c Causes file to check the magic file for format errors. This
validation is not normally carried out for reasons of efficiency. No
file typing is done under -c.
-f Specifies a file containing the names of the files to be examined.
-m Instructs file to use an alternate magic file.
DESCRIPTION
The file command performs a series of tests on each argument in an attempt
to classify it. If an argument appears to be ASCII, it tries to guess its
language. If an argument is an executable a.out, file displays the
version stamp, provided it is greater than 0.
The file command uses the file /etc/magic to identify files that have some
sort of magic number, that is, any file containing a numeric or string
constant that indicates its type. Commentary at the beginning of
/etc/magic explains its format.
EXAMPLES
The following command produces a list of filenames with their associated
type on stdout:
file /usr/bin/*
FILES
/etc/magic
Defines numeric or string constants for file types
NOTES
The file command makes mistakes. In particular, it often suggests that
command files are C programs.
The file command does not recognize Pascal or LISP.
EXIT VALUES
2/94 - Intergraph Corporation 1
file(1) CLIX file(1)
The file command returns a value of 0 if successful. If unsuccessful,
file returns a value of 2.
2 Intergraph Corporation - 2/94