[lug] C(++) library to detect file type (a la 'file')

[Scott A. Herod]

rm at fabula.de wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> i'm looking for a (GPL comaptible) library that implements file type
> detection similar to 'file(1)'. The only stuff i found so far is:
>  - in libgnome (which i'd hate to have to install on a server)
>  - There's an article and software package on freedesktop.org that
>    address the need for a unified 'file magic' database, but  that
>    lacks a client program/library to query the database.
> 
>  Any pointers (or &references) would be highly welcome.
> 
>  TIA Ralf Mattes

Hi Ralf,

Why not just use file?  You could either make a system call, or build
your own utility from the code for the system command.  The magic
configuration file seems to be the key piece.

Scott