How to Find a File in Linux | Find Command

The find command in Linux is a powerful utility for searching files and directories. Here’s a guide on how to use it effectively:

Basic Syntax

• path: The directory to start the search from. Use / for the entire system, . for the current directory, or specify a particular directory.
• expression: Criteria to match files or directories (e.g., name, size, permissions).

Examples

1. Find a File by Name

To search for a file named filename.txt:

• Use -iname for a case-insensitive search:

2. Find Files by Type

• Find directories:

• Find regular files:

3. Find Files by Size

• Files larger than 1MB:

• Files smaller than 1MB:

4. Find Files by Modification Time

• Files modified in the last 7 days:

• Files not modified in the last 7 days:

5. Find Files by Permissions

• Files with 777 permissions:

6. Execute a Command on Found Files

• Delete all .tmp files:

• Print file details with ls:

7. Exclude Certain Directories

To exclude a directory like /path/to/exclude:

8. Combine Multiple Conditions

• Files named *.log and modified in the last 7 days:

Key Options

• -name and -iname: Search by file name.
• -type: Specify file type (f for file, d for directory, etc.).
• -size: Search by size (e.g., +1M, -500K).
• -mtime: Search by modification time.
• -perm: Search by file permissions.
• -exec: Execute a command on the found files.

Tips

• Combine options to refine your search.
• Use quotes for patterns with special characters (e.g., *.txt).
• Always be cautious with -exec and commands like rm.

Would you like examples tailored to a specific use case?