How to check if a file is binary?
Use utility file, sample usage: $ file /bin/bash /bin/bash: Mach-O universal binary with 2 architectures /bin/bash (for architecture x86_64): Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64 /bin/bash (for architecture i386): Mach-O executable i386 $ file /etc/passwd /etc/passwd: ASCII English text $ file code.c code.c: ASCII c program text file manual page