Determining File Content
Files can contain many different types of data. The contents of any given file might be ASCII or binary.
ASCII files include, but are not limited to, these types:
Plain text
HTML
Executable shell scripts
C program source code
Mailbox-format text
Binary files include, but are not limited to, these types:
Compiled executables
Compressed data
Images
Sound samples
It’s a good idea to check the file type before opening it, to determine the appropriate command or application to use. Binary file types use an extended character set. Some of these characters are also used to display special characters, sound an error beep at the terminal, clear or flash the screen, or even lock up the terminal display. To check the file type, use the file command.
This is the syntax for the file command:
file [options]
The file command prints its best guess of the type of data contained in a file whose name is given as an argument. It bases its guess on a comparison of the contents of the file with the patterns and offsets in its reference file, /usr/share/magic.
Here are some file types, as reported by the file command:
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