host is a simpler DNS lookup tool than dig. Its output is concise and human-friendly; for scripting or deep debugging, reach for dig.
host example.com # A and AAAA records
host -t MX example.com # a specific record type
host -a example.com # all records (verbose)
host 93.184.216.34 # reverse lookup
Like dig, it ships with BIND and respects /etc/resolv.conf for default resolvers.
Discussed in:
- Chapter 12: Networking — DNS