Find command on Linux is a very powerful tool to search files or directories. We can use maxdepth/mindepth to limit down the search to specific depth levels.
Table of Contents
How to Use Depth In Find Command
We can combine two options together to limit the search only between max/min depths. On Centos, there is no option for -depth. We can use -maxdepth n -mindepth n to search files or directories only under n depth level.
Learning Maxdepth and mindepth
The descriptions of maxdepth and mindepth are in the following:
- maxdepth levels – Descend at most levels (a non-negative integer) levels of directories below the command line arguments. -maxdepth 0 means only apply the tests and actions to the command line arguments.
- mindepth levels – Do not apply any tests or actions at levels less than levels (a non-negative integer). -mindepth 1 means process all files except the command line arguments.
Get Your Free Linux training!
Join our free Linux training and discover the power of open-source technology. Enhance your skills and boost your career! Learn Linux for Free!Examples of Depth in Find Command
We can use the following examples to limit the depth level in Linux find command.
# find /etc -maxdepth 2 -name passwd
/etc/passwd
/etc/pam.d/passwd
# find /etc -mindepth 1 -name passwd
/etc/passwd
/etc/pam.d/passwd
# find /etc -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -name passwd
/etc/passwd
# find /etc -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 2 -name passwd
/etc/passwd
/etc/pam.d/passwd
Related Post:
Linux Find Exec examples – Advanced Part
5 Examples for Linux Find command
20 Advanced Linux Find Command Examples
How to use Find Command in Linux