Mastering the Linux ‘type’ Command: Identify Command Types and Paths

type: Display Command Type

Function Description

The type command shows the type of a specified command, indicating whether it is an internal (builtin, function, alias, keyword) or external command.

Syntax

type [-afptP] name [name ...]

Options

-a : Search the PATH and display all executable files matching name; also show aliases, keywords, functions, and builtins if -p is not used.

-f : Exclude shell functions from the search.

-p : Return nothing unless type -t name yields “file”; otherwise, search PATH and return the executable path.

-t : Output a single word describing the type (alias, keyword, function, builtin, file) or empty if not found.

-P : Even if name is an alias, builtin, or function, still search PATH and return the external executable path.

Parameters

name

: One or more command names to be examined.

Command Types

alias : Alias command.

keyword : Shell reserved word.

function : Shell function.

builtin : Built‑in command.

file : External executable file.

unfound : Not found.

Example Usage

// Alias example
# type ls
ls is aliased to `ls --color=auto`

// Keyword example
# type if
if is a shell keyword

// Builtin example
# type cd
cd is a shell builtin