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| Chapter 2 UNIX Commands |

## file

    file [options] files

Classify the named `files` according to the type of data they contain. file checks the magic file (usually /etc/magic) to identify some file types.

### Options

-c

  Check the format of the magic file (`files` argument is invalid with -c ).

-f`list`

  Run file on the filenames in `list`.

-h

  Do not follow symbolic links.

-L

  Test the file that is referenced by a symbolic link, rather than the link itself.

-m`file`

  Use `file` as the magic file instead of /etc/magic.

Many file types are understood. Output lists each filename, followed by a brief classification such as:

>     ascii text
>     c program text
>     c-shell commands
>     data
>     empty
>     iAPX 386 executable
>     directory
>     [nt]roff, tbl, or eqn input text
>     shell commands
>     symbolic link to ../usr/etc/arp

### Example

List all files that are deemed to be troff/nroff input:

>     file * | grep roff

Reference: fgrep |  | Reference: find