TIP: Locate your files quickly

faq
search
add article
cool-stuff
how-to
main
tips

TIP: Locate your files quickly

Posted by Jason on Monday April 09, @07:12PM
from the Hide-and-Seek dept.
FreeBSD comes with a locate database that stores the location of all the files on your system. If you want to find a file very quickly, use the locate command.

Login and type:
locate some_filename

Note:
The locate database is not built by default when you install a system. You will need to build the database before you can use it. Also, the database needs to be refreshed periodically. If you have a system that runs 24/7, the locate database is automatically rebuilt once a week. Otherwise, here is how to do it manually.

Login as root

login: root
password: ********

# /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

Your locate database is now being rebuilt:
(be patient, this will take a couple of minutes)

When the system finishes, your locate database will be up to date and ready to search.

< | >

Related Links

Articles on Databases
Also by Jason
Contact author

If you have ever wanted to learn about Cisco Routers, check out my new book "Cisco Routers for the Small Business" - it's Cisco CLI for the Regular Guy!

Sponsors

The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them.
( Add a Reply )

Re: TIP: Locate your files quickly
by Eliena Andrews on Wednesday March 14, @01:17AM

Hello, After i issue the locate.updatedb command, my system gives me message saying "Executing updatedb as root. This will reveal all filenames on your machine to all login users, which is a security risk." Should i be worried to use this locate.updatedb ?? Best Regards, Eliena Andrews http://visitformoney.blogspot.com

[ Add a Reply to this ]

The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them.
( Article Reply )

"You never know how many friends you have until you own a Condo on the beach." -- Jason's Postulate

[ main | post article | search ]