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shellunixbinaryfiles

How to check if a file is binary?

How can I know if a file is a binary file?

For example, a compiled C file is a binary file.

I want to read all files from some directory, but I want to ignore binary files.

Solution

  • Use utility file, sample usage:

     $ file /bin/bash
 /bin/bash: Mach-O universal binary with 2 architectures
 /bin/bash (for architecture x86_64):   Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
 /bin/bash (for architecture i386): Mach-O executable i386

 $ file /etc/passwd
 /etc/passwd: ASCII English text

 $ file code.c
 code.c: ASCII c program text

    file manual page