Determining filetype

[Schraalhans Keukenmeester]

Is it possible in PHP to determine whether a file is (intended as)
binary or ascii data other than by examining its extension? I can't find
a ready-made function or script online that does so.

If I open a file with less on my linux box for example it warns when it
'thinks' it's binary rather than ascii.

TIA.
Sh.

[Arjen]

Re: Determining filetype

Schraalhans Keukenmeester schreef:

Is it possible in PHP to determine whether a file is (intended as)
binary or ascii data other than by examining its extension? I can't find
a ready-made function or script online that does so.

No, one could make an educated guess however for the types u are expecting.

--
Arjen

http://www.hondenpage.com

[petersprc]

Re: Determining filetype

Hi,

The "file" command on unix should tell you if the file is text or
binary.

You could also do it with a regexp:

$isBinary = preg_match('/[^\x08\t\n\r\f\x 20-\x7e]/',
file_get_conten ts('/the/file'));

(By the way, less can be made to stop warning you by using the -f
option: less -f /usr/local/bin/php)

On Feb 17, 2:15 pm, Schraalhans Keukenmeester <bitbuc...@inva lid.spam>
wrote:

Is it possible in PHP to determine whether a file is (intended as)
binary or ascii data other than by examining its extension? I can't find
a ready-made function or script online that does so.
>
If I open a file with less on my linux box for example it warns when it
'thinks' it's binary rather than ascii.
>
TIA.
Sh.

[Gordon Burditt]

Re: Determining filetype

>Is it possible in PHP to determine whether a file is (intended as)

>binary or ascii data other than by examining its extension? I can't find
>a ready-made function or script online that does so.
>
>If I open a file with less on my linux box for example it warns when it
>'thinks' it's binary rather than ascii.

An 'ascii' file probably does not contain control characters (codes
0 - 31 or 127) other than tab, carriage return, line feed, possibly
form feed, and possibly backspace. Depending on the character set,
it may not contain codes 128 - 255 either.

[Colin McKinnon]

Re: Determining filetype

Schraalhans Keukenmeester wrote:

Is it possible in PHP to determine whether a file is (intended as)
binary or ascii data other than by examining its extension? I can't find
a ready-made function or script online that does so.
>
If I open a file with less on my linux box for example it warns when it
'thinks' it's binary rather than ascii.
>

The 'file' command from the shell prompt will give you the file type. There
are a wealth of tools for handling files available from the shell you might
want to read the man pages for 'cat', 'tr' and 'strings' too.

HTH

C.