file(1)                                                   file(1)



     NAME
          file - determine file type

     SYNOPSIS
          file [-c] [-f ffile] [-m mfile] arg ...

     DESCRIPTION
          file performs a series of tests on each file named in its
          arguments in an attempt to classify it.  If file appears to
          be ASCII, file examines the first 512 bytes and tries to
          guess its language.  If a file is an executable a.out file,
          file will print the version stamp, provided it is greater
          than 0 (see ld(1)).

          If the -f flag option is given, the next argument is taken
          to be a file containing the names of the files to be exam-
          ined.

          file 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.  Com-
          mentary at the beginning of /etc/magic explains its format.

          The -m flag option instructs file to use an alternate magic
          file.

          The -c flag option 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.

     EXAMPLES
             file text-file program-file directory

          reports the file names and directory name, and whether the
          files are English text, nroff input, a C program, or whatev-
          er.

     FILES
          /bin/file
          /etc/magic

     SEE ALSO
          ld(1), magic(4).












     April, 1990                                                     1