type (Unix)

In Unix and Unix-like operating systems, type is a command that describes how its arguments would be interpreted if used as command names.

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.

$ 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

The type command was a shell builtin for Bourne shell that was introduced in AT&T's System V Release 2 (SVR2) in 1984, and continues to be included in many other POSIX-compatible shells such as Bash. However, type is not part of the POSIX standard. With a POSIX shell, similar behavior is retrieved with

command -V name

In the KornShell, the command whence provides similar functionality.

The command is available as a separate package for Microsoft Windows as part of the UnxUtils collection of native Win32 ports of common GNU Unix-like utilities.

• List of Unix commands
• which (command)
• hash (Unix)