how do i search files for a particular string?

darkpark · 07-05-2005, 06:20 AM

from the console, how do i find a which files contain a particular string? i know that i could easily do it in X easily, but I'd like to learn how to do it from the command prompt.
doesn't it involve using the grep command? i tried reading the man pages for the grep command but i could make any heads or tails on how do search all files in a directory tree.
so could someone give me some examples?

thank you.

munkie_poo · 07-05-2005, 06:49 AM

This is how to find a sting in a particular text file

less textfile | grep "string "

priller · 07-05-2005, 06:53 AM

or if you want to search a directory

Code:

grep string -r path

singhalyogesh · 07-05-2005, 06:55 AM

Hi,
You can use the grep command to find all the files having a partcular string. The syntax for the same is as follows

grep " search string" -r path

it will list all the files having the search string

Cheers

darkpark · 07-05-2005, 05:46 PM

thank you very much.