Type (Unix)
# 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.

## Function

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.

## History

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

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.

