usr/src/usr.bin/file/file.1

.\" Copyright (c) 1990 The Regents of the University of California.
.\" All rights reserved.
.\"
.\" %sccs.include.redist.man%
.\"
.\"     @(#)file.1      6.3 (Berkeley) %G%
.\"
.Dd
.Dt FILE 1
.Os BSD 4.4
.Sh NAME
.Nm file
.Nd identify file content
.Sh SYNOPSIS
.Nm file
.Ar
.Sh DESCRIPTION
.Nm File
tests the given argument(s) and reports
the content type(s).
If
the file type is text,
it attempts to determine
the type of text (e.g.
.Xr csh 1
commands or C code)
.Pp
As several tests
are used and
.Nm file
stops testing on the first successful one,
it can make mistakes.
.Pp
.Nm File
does not recognize Pascal or LISP.
.\" .Sh ENVIRONMENT
.Sh HISTORY
A
.Nm file
command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.