title: Type (Unix)
text: # Type (Unix)
  
  In Unix and Unix-like operating systems, type is a command that describes how its arguments would be interpreted if used as command names.
  
  ## Function
  
  Where applicable, type will display the command name's path. Possible command types are:
  
  * shell built-in
  * function
  * alias
  * hashed command
  * keyword
  
  The command returns a non-zero exit status if command names cannot be found.
  
  ## History
  
  The type command was a shell builtin for Bourne shell that was introduced in AT&T's System V Release 2 (SVR2) in 1984, and continues to be included in many other POSIX-compatible shells such as Bash. However, type is not part of the POSIX standard. With a POSIX shell, similar behavior is retrieved with
  
  In the KornShell, the command whence provides similar functionality.
  
  The command is available as a separate package for Microsoft Windows as part of the UnxUtils collection of native Win32 ports of common GNU Unix-like utilities.
  
  