Files & folders

Linux file command

Identify a file’s type by examining its contents and metadata.

Availability: Common Linux commands; shell built-ins and external implementations may differ by distribution.中文

Syntax

file [OPTION]... FILE...

Examples

Identify a file from its contents and metadata.

file archive.tar.gz

Print only the MIME type information.

file --mime-type image.png

Parameters, options and clauses

Option / clause	Description
`-b, --brief`	Do not prepend filenames to output.
`-i, --mime`	Output MIME type information.
`-L, --dereference`	Follow symbolic links.
`-k, --keep-going`	Continue checking after the first match.
`-z, --uncompress`	Try to inspect compressed files.
`-s, --special-files`	Read block or character special files.

Safety note

Review a command and its target before running it. Commands that alter files, services, accounts, disks, permissions or databases may be difficult to reverse. Test in a safe environment and keep backups.

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