The `grep` command

Searches a pattern inside files and shows only the matching lines.

Syntax

grep [opciones] <patrón> [archivo]Try it in the terminal →

Most useful options

-iIgnores upper and lower case

-vShows the lines that do NOT match

-nNumbers the lines

-rSearches inside every file of a folder

-cCounts matching lines instead of showing them

-wWhole word only

-EPattern as an extended regular expression (egrep equivalent)

$ grep mkdir Documentos/tareas.txtSearch in a file

$ grep -i bash Documentos/apuntes.txtCase-insensitive

$ grep -rn bash .In the whole folder, with numbers

$ grep -c root /etc/passwdCount matches

You can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.

Does grep search files or text?

It searches text inside files. To find files by name you use find.

How do I count the matches?

Pipe it to wc -l: grep -r word . | wc -l.

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