How do I determine the file type under UNIX or Linux like operating systems?
You need to use the file command to determine file type. File command tests each argument in an attempt to classify it. There are three sets of tests, performed in this order: filesystem tests, magic number tests, and language tests. The first test that succeeds causes the file type to be printed on screen.
file Command Examples
Type the following command:
$ file /etc/passwd
Sample outputs:
/etc/passwd: ASCII text
Another example:
$ file /home/voffice/letter.doc
Sample outputs:
/home/voffice/letter.doc: Microsoft Office Document
Find out type of the file.c, enter:
$ file file.c
Sample outputs:
file.c: C program text
You can also use binary file, enter:
$ file $(which ls)
OR
$ file /bin/ls
Sample outputs:
/bin/ls: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 80386, version 1 (SYSV), for GNU/Linux 2.2.0, dynamically linked (uses shared libs), stripped
Finally, it can also display info about devices:
$ file /dev/sda{1,2,3}
/dev/sda1: block special (8/1) /dev/sda2: block special (8/2) /dev/sda3: block special (8/3)
You should follow me on twitter here or grab rss feed to keep track of new changes.
Featured Articles:
- 30 Handy Bash Shell Aliases For Linux / Unix / Mac OS X
- Top 30 Nmap Command Examples For Sys/Network Admins
- 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
- 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
- 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
- Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins
- Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
- Top 20 Nginx WebServer Best Security Practices
- 20 Examples: Make Sure Unix / Linux Configuration Files Are Free From Syntax Errors
- 15 Greatest Open Source Terminal Applications Of 2012

- My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
- Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
- Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
- The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop














{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks a lot :)
This is useful!!
very nice demonstration:) brief and accurate