Steps to Use the Linux File Command

Numerous Linux commands are helpful for both novices and experts alike. The Linux file command is one of the commands. Under Linux, this common application determines the type of data that is stored in a given system file. It is also referred to as a MIME type and provides a comprehensible description of the file type. Learn the fundamentals of utilizing the Linux file command and how to use it to authorize your VPS management in this lesson.

Filenames in UNIX can be completely free of the file type as the Linux file command will easily disclose what the type is. May it be an audio, open document spreadsheet or text editor file, the Linux file command will displays its type in a readable form.

How to Use the Linux File Command?

There are several uses for this command. It is beneficial to comprehend the causes of users’ system file reading difficulties. It also aids in blocking certain files and helps identify the type of socket, folder, and FIFO (pipes). In the Linux system, the File command can only see files that have zero length.

Linux File Command Syntax

Make sure that you access your VPS with SSH, before using the command. The basic syntax for the file command is as below:

file [options] [filename]

• file – It informs the terminal to run the Linux file command.
• [options] –Here you can add variables to the command.
• [filename] – It is the file you want to check by using the command.

After you run the command, the system will auto-reply you, mentioning the type of file in a standard output format.

You will also be provided with other beneficial information, like data stored in the file, the file size or the file version that you have entered.

Here, we created a simple text.txt file. Below is the most basic form of the Linux file command:

file test.txt

The output displays that the file is an ASCII text file.

What to use the Linux File Command for?

With the File command each argument is analyzed for classifying it. Three sets of tests are conducted in this sequence: file system tests, magic tests, and language tests. If the initial analysis succeeds, it provides the file type.

The file system tests are conducted by the users to study the return from a stat system call. The program checks if the file is clear, or if it’s some kind of special type of file. It checks for file types that are known, relevant to the system you are working on, if those are specified by the system in the system header file.

Files with data fixed arrangements are controlled with the application of magic tests. Usually a database is used to manage the probing of lead bytes by the file command. A file termed as magic is where that database is implemented and it is located in devisers/file/magic or a similar one. These files comprise of a magic number saved in a particular place near the start of the file that displays Linux and other operating systems that the file is a binary executable.

After determining the character set, it will then try to specify the language in which the file is written. The language tests find for special sequences that can display from anywhere in the first few segments of a file. These tests are not completely positive as compared to the previous two groups, so these are performed later.

Using the Linux File Command with Options

Since the filenames in UNIX don’t have any connection with their file type, the file command seems to be valuable.

Therefore, a file termed as devisers.csv could be a zip file. You can test this with the below command:

file devisers.csv

In case you just want to view the file type then use the –b option in the terminal along with the filename:

file –b devisers.txt

The file command has the ability to work on multiple files available in the system and return the output in separate lines for each file. For this, you only need to replace a variable with a wildcard – *:

file *.txt

The information will be displayed on all .txt files in the current directory.

You can view the mime type of the file which is not in a readable format with the –i option. The command would appear as below:

file –i devisers.csv

To see the special files, use –s with which the user can read the argument files which are not working or contain special characters. The information about the size of the special files is also specified. You can view the special file with the below command:

file –s txt.t

Make sure to add the name of the actual file you want to inspect!

Summary

The essay makes it evident that the Linux file command is a helpful tool for creating lengthy algorithms in a variety of methods based on your requirements. All you have to do is use the command in the proper syntax and specify the file. With this command, you are able to precisely comprehend what is on your machine. You will discover more about the many file formats that are available on your system as you become accustomed to using this command. Your project will be successfully improved by this. Happy creating!