With the matching patterns, we can easily and efficiently find the files or directories we need.

Preparation

Let’s prepare some test files first before we start:

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touch 1.txt 2.doc 3.html 1.c 2.c 3.c file1.txt file2.doc file3.html 1file.txt 2file.doc 3file.html

Special Pattern Characters

Match any string

We can use the * character to match any string.

Match any file that starts with file

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ll file*

Match any file that ends with .txt

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ll *.txt

Match any character

We can use the ? character to match any character.

Match any file with a 1-character filename

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ll ?.*

Match any file with a 4-character extension

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ll *.????

Match any one of enclosed characters

We can use the [] range expression to match any one of enclosed characters.

Match any file that starts with 1, 2 or f

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ll [12f]*

Match any file that starts with 1, 2 or 3

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ll [1-3]*

Match any file that starts without 1, 2 or 3

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ll [^1-3]*

References 3.5.8.1 Pattern Matching

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