NAME

file − determine a file’s type

SYNTAX

file filename... 

DESCRIPTION

The file command performs a series of tests on each file name argument in an attempt to classify it.  If an argument appears to be ASCII, file examines the first 512 bytes and tries to guess its language.

For character special files, part of this classification is information about which devices the system shows as active.  In particular, device-specific information such as controller type and unit, device type and unit, and status (offline, write locked, density, errors) is returned. The general categories currently implemented are disk, tape, and terminal devices. The supported terminal devices include Local Area Terminals (LAT) but not Local Area Network (LAN) pseudo-terminals. 

RESTRICTIONS

It often suggests that command files are C programs. 

Does not recognize Pascal or LISP.