updatedb
Update the file name database used by the locate command.
Synopsis
updatedb [OPTION]...
Examples
sudo updatedb
sudo updatedb --prunepaths='/tmp /var/tmp'
updatedb --localpaths='/home' --output=home.db
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| --localpaths | Directories to index |
| --prunepaths | Directories to skip |
| --output | Database file to write |
| -v | Verbose output |
About updatedb
The `updatedb` command update the file name database used by the locate command. File operation commands are essential for navigating and managing the Linux filesystem.
They form the backbone of everyday system administration and development workflows. Mastering these commands enables you to efficiently create, move, copy, and organize files and directories from the terminal, which is often faster and more scriptable than graphical alternatives.
The command accepts 4 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man updatedb`). The 3 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More File Operations Commands
Other commands in the File Operations category