8.2 File Processing Commands
8.2.3 Finding files using the file manager
The Find option on the File manager File menu provides tools to locate files and directories based on various search criteria. File manager Find can perform many of the functions of the find command as well as the grep command. The criteria can be either the name of a folder or file or, in the case of a file, the contents. The Figure shows the Find window.

The "Find Items In" button displays a pull down menu which allows you to select from various options including:

  • My Home Directory
  • Floppy
  • CD ROM
  • Other Host
  • Other Folder

The "whose name" button allows you to select from three options:

  • Contains
  • Does not contain
  • Equal to

The button labeled "more criteria" gives you the option of finding files by:

  • Name (default)
  • Content
  • Size
  • Date modified
  • Owner
  • Type
  • Permissions

Wildcard characters can be used when specifying the name of the file to find. Examples include:

A* Finds folder or file names that start with an upper case letter A.
s* Finds folder or file names that start with a lower case letter s.
??a Finds 3-character folder or file names where the last character in the name is a lower case letter a.
[Aa]* Finds folder or file names that start with the letter a (either upper case or lower case).

Note: If you start in the root of the file system (the / directory), the Find operation may take a considerable amount of time to complete.