How to Find Files by Text in Ubuntu

Are you tired of searching for files on your Ubuntu device without knowing their exact location? You can still find files even if you only know part of the file's name. This article will show you how to use the `find` command and the `locate` package to search for files on your Ubuntu system using the terminal.

Searching for Files with Only a Partial Name

The `find` command is one of the most powerful tools in Ubuntu, allowing you to search for files even if you only know part of their name. To search for a file with a partial name, use the following syntax: `/path/to/directory -iname pattern`. For example, let's say we want to find a file called 'nf' within the '/etc/nginx/' directory.

```

find /etc/nginx/ -iname nf

```

As you can see from the output, the `find` command found our file within the '/etc/nginx/' directory. If you want the search to be case-sensitive, swap out 'iname' with 'name'.

Using the Find Command

To use the `find` command, you need to specify the directory you want to search, followed by the option '-iname' and then the name of the file you want to find. For example:

```

find /etc/ -iname nf

```

This will search for a file called 'nf' within the '/etc/' directory and all its sub-directories.

Finding Files within a Specific Directory

If you know roughly where your file should be but can't find its exact location, you can use the `find` command to search within a specific directory. For example:

```

find /etc/nginx/ -iname nf

```

This will search for a file called 'nf' within the '/etc/nginx/' directory and all its sub-directories.

Using the Locate Package

The locate package allows you to perform similar searches quickly, but it requires a database to be refreshed regularly. The `find` command is an integral part of Ubuntu and is one of the best ways to find files on your system.

Finding Files on Desktop Ubuntu

If you are using a desktop version of Ubuntu, finding files is straightforward as opening up the Files application and using the search bar.

In this article, we have shown you how to use the `find` command and the `locate` package to search for files on your Ubuntu system using the terminal. Whether you are searching for a file with a partial name or within a specific directory, these tools will help you find what you need quickly and efficiently.

By following these steps, you can master the art of finding files on your Ubuntu device without knowing their exact location.

Ubuntu find file by text