Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site rexago1.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!cwruecmp!rexago1!rich
From: rich@rexago1.UUCP (K. Richard Magill)
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards
Subject: magic numbers? (teach me, please)
Message-ID: <124@rexago1.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 24-Nov-85 16:20:46 EST
Article-I.D.: rexago1.124
Posted: Sun Nov 24 16:20:46 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Nov-85 01:20:20 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Roadway Express Inc., Akron, OH
Lines: 14

Two questions. I presume they are related. Answers or pointers to doc would
be appreciated.

	1)  How does the shell (exec?) know whether the command I just typed
		is a shell script or one of several possible types of
		executable?

	2)  Presuming the answer to #1 above has something to do with
		magic numbers, who issues them?  is there a common
		(definitive) base of them or does each
		manufacturer/environment make up their own set?

K. Richard Magill
(someplace between an advanced user & a guru)