Linux From Scratch - Version GIT-20210406-g8186f16b0

Chapter 8. Installing Basic System Software

8.10. File-5.39

The File package contains a utility for determining the type of a given file or files.

Approximate build time: 0.1 SBU
Required disk space: 14 MB

8.10.1. Installation of File

Prepare File for compilation: 

./configure --prefix=/usr

Compile the package: 

make

To test the results, issue: 

make check

Install the package: 

make install

/bin/more from util-linux will link to libmagic.so, so the shared library should be moved to /lib, and as a result the .so file in /usr/lib will need to be recreated: 

mv -v /usr/lib/libmagic.so.* /lib
ln -sfv ../../lib/$(readlink /usr/lib/libmagic.so) /usr/lib/libmagic.so

8.10.2. Contents of File

Installed programs: file
Installed library: libmagic.so

Short Descriptions

file

Tries to classify each given file; it does this by performing several tests—file system tests, magic number tests, and language tests

libmagic

Contains routines for magic number recognition, used by the file program