---
name: "dcfile"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "dicom3tools"
version: "1.00~20240118131615-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dcfile"
---

# dcfile(1)

ACR/NEMA DICOM PS3 ... DICOM PS3 - Describe DICOM file content

## NAME

dcfile - ACR/NEMA DICOM PS3 ... DICOM PS3 - Describe DICOM file content

## SYNOPSIS

**dcfile** \[ **-b\|brief** \] \[ **-filename** \]

## DESCRIPTION

**dcfile** reads the named dicom or acr-nema input file and describes the encoding method of the file, ie. what transfer syntax is in use, and whether or not a Part 10 style meta-information header is present.

## OPTIONS

The description goes to standard error.

The basic input switches are described in [dcintro(1)](/dcintro/1.md). Options specific to this program are:

- **-b\|brief**

  Display a single line brief summary.

- **-filename**

  Show the name of the file supplied in the arguments; a hyphen will be reported if no filename was supplied.

## ENVIRONMENT

## EXAMPLES

% dcfile dicomdir.

Meta: UID               1.2.840.10008.1.2.1

Meta: Description       "Explicit VR Little Endian"

Meta: ByteOrder Little

Meta: VR                Explicit

Meta: Encapsulated      No

Data: UID               1.2.840.10008.1.2.1

Data: Description       "Explicit VR Little Endian"

Data: ByteOrder Little

Data: VR                Explicit

Data: Encapsulated      No

% dcfile expmeta.dc3

Meta: UID               1.2.840.10008.1.2.1

Meta: Description       "Explicit VR Little Endian"

Meta: ByteOrder Little

Meta: VR                Explicit

Meta: Encapsulated      No

Data: UID               1.2.840.10008.1.2

Data: Description       "Implicit VR Little Endian"

Data: ByteOrder Little

Data: VR                Implicit

Data: Encapsulated      No

% dcfile NM.1

Data: UID               1.2.840.10008.1.2

Data: Description       "Implicit VR Little Endian"

Data: ByteOrder Little

Data: VR                Implicit

Data: Encapsulated      No

% dcfile test.spi

Data: ByteOrder Big

Data: VR                Implicit

Data: Encapsulated      No

% dcfile -b evrlewm.dcm

DICOM file, with metaheader, Explicit VR Little Endian

% dcfile -b evrlenom.dcm

DICOM file, no metaheader, Explicit VR Little Endian

## FILES

## SEE ALSO

**[file(1)](/file/1.md)**, **[dcdump(1)](/dcdump/1.md)**, **[dcintro(1)](/dcintro/1.md)**

## AUTHOR

Copyright (c) 1993-2022, David A. Clunie DBA PixelMed Publishing. All rights reserved.

## BUGS