While file extensions in Linux are optional and often misleading, the file command helps decode what a file truly is. This powerful utility analyzes the actual content, not just the name, and offers a reliable description, vital for system admins, developers, and anyone working with unknown or mixed file types.
file [options] filenameReplace filename with the file to analyze.
file music_trackReturns “MP3 audio file” (or “ASCII text” if it’s actually just text, regardless of its .mp3 extension).
file *.jpgInstantly reveals which among your *.jpg files are actual images or just misnamed files.
file ~/Documents/backup*Shows what types of backups you actually have (compressed, database dumps, raw text, etc.).
file install.shOutput might show “Bourne-Again shell script,” or “ELF 64-bit LSB executable” for compiled binaries.
| Option | Function | 
|---|---|
| -b | Hide file name in output | 
| -i | Show MIME type instead of English descriptor | 
| -L | Follow symbolic links | 
| -z | Look inside compressed files | 
Read More: History of Linux
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