Find command again.

swamprat · 11-10-2008, 09:53 PM

I want to find the string 'abc' (no quotes) located in any directory or file on the machine.

I've tried: egrep -rl 'abc' /* 2>/dev/null
but this didn't work.

I'm I doing this correctly?

Thanks, Newbi again...

nigelc · 11-10-2008, 10:39 PM

I tried this, but it seems to be stuck in the /dev directory. if you miss out the "2>/dev/null" just sit & watch it.

chrism01 · 11-11-2008, 12:33 AM

Are you looking for 'abc' in a dirname or filename, or do you mean in the contents of a file?

For dirnames & filenames
1. find / -name '*abc*' -print 2>/dev/null

If you want only one of dirs or files, use the -type switch eg

2. find / -type f -name '*abc*' -print 2>/dev/null
3. find / -type d -name '*abc*' -print 2>/dev/null

file contents

4. grep -rHn abc *