In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> you write: >Mmh. I like to think of the file utility as the standard reference. I didn't >knew about any other such databases. That apache uses file extensions is >bad, but it's reasonable for a browser which only serves a well defined set >of files.
Any program that reads multiple file formats does some sought of automatic file type detection. Some of these are so deeply engrained (eg gcc), that I doubt they will ever be changed. eg: - gcc looks at the file extension to determine what type the input file is. - gimp does the same. - magicfilter (do I need to say more?) - can't remember what xv does. - lots more - I am not wide awake at the moment ;-) Currently, the file extension is used for a lot of things, but I think the filename should be for user identification of the file, and not for system identification. -- Brian May <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
