The find command¶
The find command lets you search for files in a directory hierarchy
- Search a file with specific name.
- Search a file with pattern
- Search for empty files and directories.
Examples:¶
- Search a file with specific name:
[linux] find ./directory1 -name sample.txt
- Search a file with pattern:
[linux] find ./directory1 -name '*.txt'
- To find all directories whose name is test in / directory.
[linux] find / -type d -name test
- Searching empty files in current directory
[linux] find . -size 0k
Syntax:¶
[linux] find [options] [paths] [expression] In Simple words [linux] find [where to start searching from] [expression determines what to find] [-options] [what to find]
Additional Flags and their Functionalities:¶
Commonly-used primaries include: - name pattern - tests whether the file name matches the shell-glob pattern given. - type type - tests whether the file is a given type. Unix file types accepted include:
| options | Description |
|---|---|
b | block device (buffered) |
d | directory |
f | regular file |
l | Symbolic link |
-print | always returns true; prints the name of the current file plus a newline to the stdout. |
-mtime n | find's all the files which are modified n days back. |
-atime n | find's all the files which are accessed 50 days back. |
-cmin n | find's all the files which are modified in the last 1 hour. |
-newer file | find's file was modified more recently than file. |
-size n | File uses n units of space, rounding up. |
Help Command¶
Run below command to view the complete guide to find command or click here. [linux] man find
Last update: 2022-05-12