![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet-1024x283.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>
Linux File Command Syntax<\/h2>
To use the Linux file command on a VPS hosting<\/a>, you’ll have to connect it with an SSH client such as PuTTY or Terminal.<\/p> First, let’s analyze the basic syntax of the file command:<\/p> file [options] [file name]<\/strong><\/p> When executed, the command doesn’t consider its file extension. Instead, it runs three tests to determine the file type:<\/p> The command’s output displays the file type using the standard format. Depending on the command option, it may provide other information, such as data stored in compressed files, size, or version.<\/p> The option <\/strong>in the syntax allows you to add variables to the Linux file command. Here are some common examples:<\/p> Before we talk about each option separately, use the nano editor to create a sample text named test.txt<\/strong>:<\/p> nano test.txt<\/strong><\/p> Once the command line opens a new file, write a few lines of text and press Ctrl + X<\/strong> and Y <\/strong>to exit and save your changes.<\/p> \n\n\n 40 Essential Linux Commands That Every User Should Know<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p> In the following sections, we’ll discuss how to use each of the options listed previously.<\/p> In Linux, while users can rename their files, the updated information may not represent the actual data. To find the correct type of a file, enter:<\/p> file filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, you rename test.txt<\/strong> to text.zip<\/strong>. To reveal the valid file type, enter:<\/p> file text.zip<\/strong><\/p> The output will display the name and its actual type, an ASCII text file:<\/p> To view the format in brief mode, use the -b<\/strong> option on Terminal, followed by the file name. For example:<\/p> file -b text.zip<\/strong><\/p> The output will show the file type <\/strong>without its name:<\/p> The file command can list each file type in the home directory. To do this, enter file<\/strong> and add a wildcard character (*<\/strong>):<\/p> file *<\/strong><\/p> The program will show all the files and directories:<\/p> In addition, the file command can show each file type inside a specific directory. Here’s the general syntax:<\/p> file [path-to-directory]\/*<\/strong><\/p> The -i<\/strong> option is used to view the MIME file type<\/a>. It consists of two parts – a type and a subtype. MIME uses a slash (\/) to separate each of them, with no space in between.<\/p> Here’s the general syntax:<\/p> file -i filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, to view the MIME type of the test2.txt<\/strong> file, enter:<\/p> file -i test2.txt<\/strong><\/p> Here’s the output of the file command above:<\/p> Instead of declaring the file format as ASCII text, the program defines the file as text\/plain <\/strong>and charset=us-ascii<\/strong>.<\/p> The file command allows you to read special files, such as system information, by adding the -s<\/strong> option.<\/p> \n\n\n Important!<\/strong> Keep in mind that only a root user can run the file command along the -s option. Otherwise, you’ll receive a no-read permission error message.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p> This option only classifies a file as a block special file, symbolic link, directory, or nonexistent.<\/p> Here’s its general format:<\/p> sudo file -s filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, to read the ploop19269<\/strong> file, enter:<\/p> sudo file -s \/dev\/ploop19269<\/strong><\/p> The output indicates that ploop19269 <\/strong>is a DOS\/MBR boot sector.<\/p> There are two ways to check compressed files like ZIP <\/strong>or gzip <\/strong>archives, the -z<\/strong> and -Z<\/strong> options. The former displays detailed information and its content, while the latter only shows the file types.<\/p> Here’s the general syntax of the -z <\/strong>option:<\/p> file -z filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, to read the test2.txt.gz<\/strong> file’s complete data, enter:<\/p> file -z test2.txt.gz<\/strong><\/p> The output specifies that test2.txt.gz <\/strong>is a gzip<\/strong> compressed<\/a> file that contains test2.txt<\/strong>:<\/p> Here’s the general format of the -Z <\/strong>option:<\/p> file -Z filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, to view the file type of test.gz <\/strong>only, enter:<\/p> file -Z test.gz<\/strong><\/p> This command will only print out the type of the file inside test.gz <\/strong>– an ASCII text.<\/p> Adding the -c<\/strong> option allows you to view the parsed version of any file. It shows information such as type, opcode, and value. Usually, it is used in conjugation with the -m<\/strong> option to debug a new magic file before installing it.<\/p> Here’s its general syntax:<\/p> file -c filename<\/strong><\/p> For example, to print the parsed form of the test.txt<\/strong> file, enter:<\/p> file -c test.txt<\/strong><\/p> The output should look like this:<\/p> The file command lists all file types in a directory using the Regex-style ranges. Type file <\/strong>and place the values in brackets, followed by *<\/strong>.<\/p> Its general syntax is:<\/p> file [range1-range2]*<\/strong><\/p> For example, to examine files starting within the a <\/strong>to z<\/strong> range, enter:<\/p> file [a-z]*<\/strong><\/p> The output should look like this:<\/p> Since this program is case-sensitive, the output will only show the files starting with a lowercase a to z. To include the uppercase characters, add another range. For example:<\/p> file [a-z]* [A-Z]*<\/strong><\/p> Here’s what the output looks like:<\/p> In UNIX systems, file names and extensions can differ from their actual types. Hence, Linux provides the file command to help users determine the type of a file.<\/p> When executing it, use appropriate options and specify the file name. There are many acceptable variables to use with the file command, such as:<\/p> We hope this article has helped you learn how to manage data using the Linux file command. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below.<\/p> \n\n\n Remove Directory in Linux: How to Delete Files and Folders<\/a> In this section, we will answer the most common questions about the Linux file command.<\/p> File names in UNIX can be entirely independent of the file types. Thus, it’s tricky to determine the actual information. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/02\/VPS-hosting-banner-1024x300.png\")
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Suggested Reading<\/h4>\n
Linux File Command Examples<\/h2>
Use File to Check the File Type<\/h3>
![\"The](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/The-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal-displaying-the-correct-file-type.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>![\"Check](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/Check-a-file-type-using-the-brief-mode-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to List the File Type of Multiple Files<\/h3>
![\"List](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/List-file-types-in-a-directory-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to Find the MIME File Type<\/h3>
![\"View](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/View-the-MIME-type-of-a-file-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to Read the Special File Type<\/h3>
![\"Read](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/Read-a-block-special-file-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to Read a Compressed File<\/h3>
![\"Check](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/Check-a-compressed-file-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>![\"View](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/View-the-type-of-a-file-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to Test Parsed Version of a File<\/h3>
![\"Printing](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/Printing-the-parsed-form-of-a-file-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Use File to List File Types<\/h3>
![\"List](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/List-file-types-within-a-range-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>![\"List](\"\/tutorials\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/List-file-types-within-multiple-ranges-using-the-Linux-file-command-on-Terminal.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Conclusion<\/h2>
\n
Learn More Linux Commands for File Management<\/h4>\n
\nHow to Use the Linux Locate Command to Find Any File<\/a>
\nUsing Tee Command to Write to Files<\/a>
\nHow to Use the Tar Command in Linux<\/a>
\nHow to Rename a File<\/a>
\nHow to Create Linux Symlinks (Symbolic Links) for Files and Directories<\/a>
\nHow to Install and Use Linux Screen<\/a>
\nHow to Use rsync Command to Transfer and Sync Files<\/a>
\nHow to Read a File With Sed Command<\/a>
\nHow to Unzip Files in Linux<\/a>
\nHow to Use SCP Command to Copy and Transfer Files in Linux<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>Linux File Command FAQ<\/h3>
What Exactly Does the Linux File Command Do?<\/h3>
Executing the file command reveals what format a file uses and examines each argument<\/a> by conducting three tests – filesystem, magic, and language tests. The first that succeeds will output the file type.<\/p> <\/div> Which Linux Command Creates a Blank File in the Current Directory?<\/h3>