Software for text search in files

There is a very nice one that ships with Ubuntu out of the box.

  1. Open the Dash (Super key or the Ubuntu button) and begin typing until you find Search for Files

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  2. The above is for Unity, the default Desktop Environment in Ubuntu. In menu-driven environments, go to Applications -> Accessories -> Search for Files

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  3. Expand the Select more options section and enter the text to search for in the Contains the text: input field.

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Features:

  • 100% GUI
  • You can search for file names or content
  • It does look in sub-folders.

Given your scenario (no terminal commands, simple to use interface) I think theres no better option.

PS: on the Contains the text: input field the '.' character is a wildcard. To escape it you have to use '[]'. E.g.: type Contains the text: [.]myFunction to search for .myFunction


use

 grep -nr <your text> .

put the text that you want to find inside the <your text>


I am a fan of searchmonkey (GPL, free, cross-platform, pretty light on resources and very fast).

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