locate命令查找文件比find速度快很多，locate是在linux下实现快速查找文件的工具.相应的windows下有everything功能也很强大.

[root@wuzhigang lib]# updatedb
-bash: updatedb: command not found

原来是服务器中没有安装mlocate

[root@wuzhigang lib]# yum install mlocate
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, refresh-packagekit
Repository base is listed more than once in the configuration
Repository updates is listed more than once in the configuration
Repository extras is listed more than once in the configuration
Repository centosplus is listed more than once in the configuration
Repository contrib is listed more than once in the configuration
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: mirrors.163.com
 * extras: ftp.sjtu.edu.cn
 * nux-dextop: li.nux.ro
 * updates: mirrors.163.com
Setting up Install Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package mlocate.x86_64 0:0.22.2-4.el6 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

=======================================================================================================================================
 Package                        Arch                          Version                                Repository                   Size
=======================================================================================================================================
Installing:
 mlocate                        x86_64                        0.22.2-4.el6                           base                         86 k

Transaction Summary
=======================================================================================================================================
Install       1 Package(s)

Total download size: 86 k
Installed size: 279 k
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
mlocate-0.22.2-4.el6.x86_64.rpm                                                                                 |  86 kB     00:00     
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
  Installing : mlocate-0.22.2-4.el6.x86_64                                                                                         1/1
  Verifying  : mlocate-0.22.2-4.el6.x86_64                                                                                         1/1

Installed:
  mlocate.x86_64 0:0.22.2-4.el6                                                                                                        

Complete!

 

安装成功了，现在使用 updatedb 命令来创建locate命令依赖的数据库。
[root@wuzhigang lib]# updatedb
[root@wuzhigang lib]# locate passwd

 

整个locate工作其实是由四部分组成的:

  • /usr/bin/updatedb
  • /usr/bin/locate or mlocate
  • /etc/updatedb.conf
  • /var/lib/mlocate/mlocate.db

updatedb主要用来更新数据库,这个工作是通过crontab自动完成的. 
mlocate/locate是作来完成查询功能的程序;
updatedb.conf是配置要查询哪些目录, 哪些文件;
mlocate.db则是存放文件信息的文件;