mlocate

finds files by searching a pre-built database rather than scanning

TLDR

Find files by name

$ locate [pattern]

Case-insensitive search

$ locate -i [pattern]

Update database

$ sudo updatedb

Show only existing files

$ locate -e [pattern]

Limit results

$ locate -l [10] [pattern]

Count matches

$ locate -c [pattern]

mlocate (merging locate) finds files by searching a pre-built database rather than scanning the filesystem. This makes searches extremely fast.The database is typically updated daily by cron, or manually with updatedb.

PARAMETERS

-i, --ignore-case

Case-insensitive match.

-l n, --limit n

Limit output to n entries.

-c, --count

Print count only.

-e, --existing

Only existing files.

-b, --basename

Match basename only.

-r, --regexp

Use regex pattern.

-d path

Use specific database.

DATABASE

$ Default: /var/lib/mlocate/mlocate.db
Config: /etc/updatedb.conf

# Update database
sudo updatedb

INSTALL

nix profile install nixpkgs#mlocate

CAVEATS

Database may be outdated. New files won't appear until updatedb runs. Some paths excluded by default. Requires updatedb for fresh results.

HISTORY

mlocate was created by Miloslav Trmač as an improvement over GNU locate, using a more efficient database format that tracks file changes.