Locate Database - Is it worth generating?

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bud_jones Author

Level 1

16 points

Locate Database - Is it worth generating?

I was playing around on the terminal using some Unix commands. When I tried "Locate" the system replied

WARNING: The locate database (/var/db/locate.database) does not exist.

To create the database, run the following command:

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

Please be aware that the database can take some time to generate; once

the database has been created, this message will no longer appear.

I have been using OSX for years and have never had occasion to use the Locate. Am I missing something useful?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.3), AirPort Express, IPod, iPad, iPad2,

Posted on Apr 14, 2012 12:44 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Apr 14, 2012 4:33 PM in response to bud_jones

It's not created by default in Mac OS X 10.7. Generally, if all the drives you normally use are indexed by Spotlight, having a locate database won't add anything.

(65625)

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,530 points

Apr 15, 2012 5:05 AM in response to bud_jones

The locate database is only useful if you want to search for things in the command line. Locate isn't tied to spotlight or any other search functions on the Mac. It just indexes the programs on the hard drive so it can tell you where they are located if you ask.

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Answer 3

bud_jones Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 15, 2012 7:21 PM in response to Niel

Thanks for the information. I didn't know if building the Locate database would help Spotight find files. Now I knowi can ignore Locate and live happily ever after.

Bud Jones

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Answer 4

wortell

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2012 7:29 AM in response to bud_jones

You probably already know this but I just found this very helpful as well - as I TOO was going to install the locate database, but didn't want to overdo it... - located at the bottom of the "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2531" link - i noticed an advanced options section... (while in terminal you can use the power of command line of spotlight via the "mdfind {file/string}" command.

I was jazzed as it was just as fast (slightly faster obviously due to no UI) as spotlight and gave me what I wanted.

Jus' fyi is all. Hope it helps someone else too.

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