find -exec help

dc144 · 10-11-2006, 08:40 AM

Hi All,

I am trying to use the find command to find files not modified for more than 5 minutes and move the file(s) to another dir. But the error is missing argument to '-exec'

find . -mmin +5 -type f -exec mv {} mydir \;
find: missing argument to `-exec'

What did I miss out? Please help.
Thanks

michux · 10-11-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc144

Hi All,

I am trying to use the find command to find files not modified for more than 5 minutes and move the file(s) to another dir. But the error is missing argument to '-exec'

find . -mmin +5 -type f -exec mv {} mydir \;
find: missing argument to `-exec'

What did I miss out? Please help.
Thanks

I tried the same command on my box and it.. worked

At least it did not produce an error message.

Perhaps try something like:

Code:

find . -mmin +5 -type f -exec 'mv {} mydir' \;

and check ifthat helps...

berbae · 10-11-2006, 09:55 AM

I don't see exactly what the word 'mydir' stands for :
An environment variable, a real directory, or what ?

dc144 · 10-12-2006, 02:14 AM

Thanks michux,
Now there's a new progress but still not working
with the single quote '', the message is

find: mv myfile mydir: no such file or directory

berbae, mydir is just a directory I created.