Finding Files in Bash with Glob Patterns and Find

Finding the exact file you need in a massive directory structure can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Understanding how to leverage shell wildcards and search utilities is a fundamental skill that saves hours of manual searching. This course teaches you how to navigate and search your filesystem efficiently using native command-line tools. You will transition from basic file browsing to executing precise, automated search patterns. What you will learn: Understand the core concepts of globbing, wildcards, and search utilities; Apply glob patterns like asterisks, question marks, and bracket expressions to filter filenames; Configure the find utility to search by name, size, modification time, and permissions; Combine glob patterns with the find utility for advanced pattern matching; Execute actions on search results directly from the command line; Practice modern command-line workflows safely to avoid accidental file deletion. We begin with foundational definitions of filesystems and shell expansion, then progress to hands-on search techniques, and conclude with practical exercises for safely manipulating found files. This course is designed for beginners with basic terminal familiarity, requiring no prior scripting experience. Start mastering your command-line search workflow today.