When file returns its output, it generally will return the name
of the file along with its results for file contents. This would
cause files named something like XmlParser.java to be counted
as XML files, and be parsed to the xmllint formatter. Adding the
-b flag tells file to print a brief output, which does not
echo out the file name, just the results for file contents.
michalrus
commented
6 years ago
When
filereturns its output, it generally will return the name of the file along with its results for file contents. This would cause files named something likeXmlParser.javato be counted as XML files, and be parsed to the xmllint formatter. Adding the-bflag tellsfileto print a brief output, which does not echo out the file name, just the results for file contents.