How to Search for a File in Linux

Linux is a Unix based operating system notable for being open source. Anyone is free to modify or manipulate Linux to suit his own needs, although certain functions are unalterable. In order to search for a file in Linux, for example, there are a number of different ways you can do it that are universal to each version of Linux.

Step1 Begin by accessing the terminal/shell. The shell is the program used by Linux that interprets command line functions and performs actions based on your input (the find command, for example).

Step2 Enter the "find" command at the command prompt, along with any command line parameters you wish to use for your search. The proper syntax for the find command line is "find {path...} {options} {tests} {actions}" followed by the "Enter" key.

Step3 Include the filename or the file type at the end of the command line after any actions you include.

Step4 Find specific files by entering their full names, including the file type. For example, if you wanted to find a file named "2007_Invoices.txt" then be sure to enter it thus on the command line.

Step5 Use a period "." as your directory command line whenever you wish to search the entire drive for a file. This will look for files in every directory or subdirectory.

Step6 Choose to find files of the same type by using an asterisk in place of a specific filename. For example, entering "find . -name "*.doc"" would find and list all of the files on your drive that are .doc files.

Step7 Find files specific to you by using the -user command line switch. For example, "find . -name 'Invoice*' -user SaulTigh" would find all of the files that include the name "Invoice" by SaulTigh.