Unix Command Line - Find Command

[gids.rs@sasktel.net]

Now, you may think.  What is so special about the FIND command?  It is just a pretty straight forward command.  You tell it what to search for, and it finds it for you.  You give it some criteria and it weeds out anything that does not match that criteria.  The criteria usually will result with fewer files to allow you to choose from.  Or. you may have the option to use a wild card character which usually results in more files to choose from.

But, what if, I told you that the FIND command is the back bone to how a batch file works.  For example, you can use the FIND command to find all files of a type $C1, which are graphic files, and then have a slide show, no matter where they are stored.  You can FIND all the Finder.data files on a hard drive, then delete them all.  You can FIND all files that start with a part of a name, and lock/unlock them all.

That is kinda/sorta what this FIND command does.  It finds all files that match your criteria, and has the ability to store the results in a text file.  You can then edit the text file and put a disk command (delete, lock, unlock, view) in front of each prefix, then EXEC the text file.  Yes, VIEW, can even be used when the UNIX command line is installed.  It allows you to view most graphics.

A couple of notes on the FIND command should be mentioned.  FIND does not use the MLI OPEN function.  So it will not work on network disks.  It reads from a block device, which makes it very fast.  Block numbers are pushed onto the stack when entering a Subdirectory header, and popped off the stack when the Subdirectory has been completely searched.  This not only makes the search engine very fast, but also saves a lot of buffer space, since only 4 bytes are pushed onto the stack for each level of a directory.  Directories rarely go more than 4-5 levels deep, so only 20 bytes, at the most would ever get pushed onto the stack.

Also, since every file is checked, a total file count of the entire hard drive can be displayed at the end of the search.  You can also search by file type, i.e. $F, which is a folder, the number of files found will show how many folders are on your disk.  The sames goes for any file type.

At any rate, I don't think the FIND command should be underrated.  It has great potential to be your best friend.


Pushing the Apple II to the limit

Rob