type (Unix)
In Unix, type is a command that describes how its arguments would be interpreted if used as command names.
Function
Where applicable, type will display the command name's path. Possible command types are:
- shell built-in
- function
- alias
- hashed command
- keyword
The command returns a non-zero exit status if command names cannot be found.
The type command was added to the Bourne Shell in 1984 with SVR2 but is not part of the POSIX standard. With a POSIX shell, similar behavior is retrieved with
command -V name
In the Korn shell, the command whence provides similar functionality.[1]
Examples
$ type test
test is a shell builtin
$ type cp
cp is /bin/cp
$ type unknown
unknown not found
$ type type
type is a shell builtin
See also
| File system | |
|---|---|
| Processes | |
| User environment | |
| Text processing | |
| Shell builtins | |
| Searching | |
| Documentation | |
| Software development | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| |
References
- ^
Siever, Ellen (2005). Linux in a Nutshell. Nutshell handbooks. O'Reilly Media, Inc. p. 695. ISBN 9780596009304. Retrieved 2016-07-05.
whence [...] Korn shell only. Show whether each command is a Unix command, a built-in command, a defined shell function, or an alias.
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