[SOLVED] Alternative of "updatedb" on linux(Ubuntu) or Run "updatedb" without root user(with normal user)

rutul.5085 · 05-06-2016, 01:29 AM

I want to run "locate" command in a script. But it cannot find a newly created file because "updatedb" has to be executed before "locate".

But, "updatedb" requires the root access or should be run with "sudo"
Now, since it is a script I don't want to enter my password by going to terminal. It will defeat the point of script.

Is there any alternative to "updatedb" ? or Can I execute it without the "sudo" ?

syg00 · 05-06-2016, 01:43 AM

Use "find".

xamaco · 05-06-2016, 02:24 AM

Traditionally updatedb is run by a cron job. For security reasons, locate it kind of deprecated nowadays. As svg00 suggests, find is a better alternative. Although is can be slowish on a first search, after that, due to caching it gets much faster.

syg00 · 05-06-2016, 04:08 AM

I don't know about "deprecated" - I use "[m]locate" from choice, "find" when I have to.