file(1)                    (Essential Utilities)                    file(1)


   NAME
         file - determine file type

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

   DESCRIPTION
         file performs a series of tests on each file supplied by arg and,
         optionally, on each file supplied in ffile in an attempt to classify
         it.  If arg appears to be a text file, file examines the first 512
         bytes and tries to guess its programming language.  If arg is an
         executable a.out, file prints the version stamp, provided it is
         greater than 0.  If arg is a symbolic link, by default the link is
         followed and file tests the file that the symbolic link references.

         -c    Check the magic file for format errors.  For reasons of
               efficiency, this validation is normally not carried out.

         -f ffile
               ffile contains the names of the files to be examined.

         -h    Do not follow symbolic links.

         -m mfile
               Use mfile as an alternate magic file, instead of /etc/magic.

         file uses /etc/magic to identify files that have a magic number.  A
         magic number is a numeric or string constant that indicates the file
         type.  Commentary at the beginning of /etc/magic explains its format.

   FILES
         /etc/magic

   SEE ALSO
         filehdr(4) in the  Programmer's Reference Manual.

   DIAGNOSTICS
         If the -h option is specified and arg is a symbolic link, file prints
         the error message:

               symbolic link to arg










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