Linux Pocket Guide

Name

whereis [options] files — util-linux

Synopsis

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

The whereis command attempts to locate the given files by searching a hardcoded list of directories. It can find executables, documentation, and source code. whereis is somewhat quirky because its list of directories might not include the ones you need.

Useful options
-b -m -s	List only executables (-b), manpages (-m), or source code files (-s).
-B dirs… -f files… -M dirs… -f files… -S dirs… -f files…	Search for executables (-B), manpages (-M), or source code files (-S) only in the given directories. You must terminate the directory list with the -f option before listing the files you seek.