Opening a file without knowing the name of the program?

[raybetts89]

Say I have a .png file and I didn't know which program I had to type to use it what could I do to find out?

[kabars_edge]

Obviously, with an extension you already know what type of file it is and therefore will know what program you need to open it. However, if there is a file without a file extension, your only hope is if it has some metadata in the file. You can view the file in a file manager, such as thunar and it should recognize it. Otherwise, you're SOL.

HTH,

KaBar's Edge

[Lakshmipathi]

Say I have a .png file and I didn't know which program I had to type to use it what could I do to find out?

I don't understand your requirement. Could you please explain it ? What are you trying to achieve?

[Nagarjuna]

In situations like this, I find using a search engine like Google is your best bet. I would just search something like, "linux view .png files" and you'd likely get some pretty good results.

[devils casper]

You can use file command to determine what type of file it is.

[raybetts89]

I don't understand your requirement. Could you please explain it ? What are you trying to achieve?

Let's say that in the shell I come across a file and the ending is unfamiliar, is there any way I can check for a list of programs that will be able to open it?

[reed9]

In linux the ending or file extension is not usually required. As devils casper said, using the file command is probably the best way and then google if you're still unsure.

Program associations with files in linux are set using mime types.

[Lakshmipathi]

Yes,I agree with devils casper and reed9. Use "file" command to determine the file type.