/bin/cp: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 386, version 1

Skipping the technical parts, this is an executable file for Intel
machines.

$ file /etc/init.d/boot
The preceding command gives this response:

/etc/init.d/boot: Bourne shell script text
meaning that this is a text file containing a Bourne shell script.

Using a File Manager

Instead of moving files around by hand, you can use a file manager. If you
move a lot of files around, a file manager can make your work more
efficient. There are text-based file managers, such as GNU Midnight
Commander (mc), and a number of file managers for the X Window system (for
example gmc for the X Window version of GNU Midnight Commander).

Describing each of these is outside the scope of this book, but you may
want to try them out if the command line doesn't meet your needs.

Working with Text Files

Text files are prevelant on a GNU/Linux system. They hold everything from
documentation to configuration files. Fortunately, it's easy to work with
them.

Viewing Text Files