Linux Pocket Guide

Name

find [directories] [expression] — findutils

Synopsis

/usr/bin stdin stdout - file -- opt --help --version

The find command searches one or more directories (and their subdirectories recursively) for files matching certain criteria. It is very powerful, with over 50 options and, unfortunately, a rather unusual syntax. Here are some simple examples that search the entire file system from the root directory:

Find a particular file named myfile:

$ find / -type f -name myfile -print

Print all directory names:

$ find / -type d -print

Useful options
-namepattern -pathpattern -lnamepattern -inamepattern -ipathpattern -ilnamepattern	The name (-name), pathname (-path), or symbolic link target (-lname) of the desired file must match this shell pattern, which may include shell wildcards *, ?, and []. Paths are relative to the directory tree being searched. The -iname, -ipath and -ilname options are the same as -name, -path, and -lname, respectively, but are case-insensitive.
-regex regexp	The path (relative to the directory tree being searched) must match the given regular expression.
-type f|d|l|b|c|p|s	Locate only plain files (f), directories (d), symbolic links (l), block devices (b), character devices (c), named pipes (p), or sockets (s).
-atime N -ctime N -mtime N	File was last accessed (-atime), last modified (-mtime), or had a status change (-ctime) exactly N*24 hours ago. Use +N for “greater than N,” or -N for “less than N.”
-amin N -cmin N -mmin N	File was last accessed (-amin), last modified ( ...