Search Directory for Files Matching Pattern - Windows - windows

Question

I have been trying to make this work for longer than I care to admit but for some reason I cannot figure it out. I usually work with Linux/Unix.
I simply want to search a directory for all instances where a filename matches a string.
Some things I have tried:
dir /s "/path/to/Test*"
dir /s/b "C:/path/to/Test*"
Additionally, I am hoping to return something that can easily be imported into an array. Something without unnecessary information. All I need Is the path or at the very least the filename for each file matched.
Edit: I dont want information like this (if possible)
Volume in drive C is OS
Volume Serial Number is...
Edit: Test* is intended to indicate all filenames beginning with Test. So TestA, TestB, & TestC should all match.

Answer 1

The same commands work on Linux, Mac, and Windows. http://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/
PS C:\src> (Get-ChildItem -Recurse -File -Path 'C:/src/d2' -Filter 'test*').FullName
C:\src\d2\test.bat
C:\src\d2\test.ps1
C:\src\d2\test.sql
C:\src\d2\test.txt
C:\src\d2\copyt\test.txt
Using command aliases, it can be shorter for interactive use. But, aliases are not a good practice for scripts.
PS C:\src> (ls -r -file 'C:/src/d2/test*').FullName
C:\src\d2\test.bat
C:\src\d2\test.ps1
C:\src\d2\test.sql
C:\src\d2\test.txt
C:\src\d2\copyt\test.txt
If you want an array, this will make one.
PS C:\src> $files = (ls -r -file 'C:/src/d2/test*').FullName
PS C:\src> $files.GetType()
IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType
-------- -------- ---- --------
True True Object[] System.Array
Replace directory separators with -replace.
(Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Path 'C:/src/d2' -Filter 'test.*').FullName -replace '\\','/'
Join them to a single line with -join. This join uses a COMMA. Note that if the join uses a COLON in *NIX-style, it will not work well on Windows.
PS C:\src> (Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Path 'C:/src/d2' -Filter 'test.*').FullName -replace '\\','/' -join (',')
C:/src/d2/test.bat,C:/src/d2/test.ps1,C:/src/d2/test.sql,C:/src/d2/test.txt,C:/src/d2/copyt/test.txt
If you need a PATH-style separator, use:
(Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Path 'C:/src/d2' -Filter 'test.*').FullName -replace '\\','/' -join ([IO.Path]::PathSeparator)

Answer 2

I've just been searching for all files, called "test.*" all over my C:-drive, using this simple command:
dir /S C:\test*
Although I just mention the directory C:\, the /S makes sure all subfolders are used too. In top of that, there are no double quotes, as you can see.
Does this solve your issue?

Answer 3

Sorry, I didn't see that you're used working with UNIX/Linux, so here I have an approach you'll prefer:
forfiles /P C:\ /S /M test* /C "cmd /c echo #path"
This does the following:
/P C:\ Start looking in C:\
/S Search through subdirectories
/M test* Filename looks like "test*"
/C <cmd> When found, launch <cmd>
"cmd /c echo #path" Echo (write to output) the complete path of the found file or directory
This will give you a list of files and directories, written as full paths, something like:
"C:\Octave\Octave-5.2.0\mingw64\bin\test-libiberty.exe"
"C:\Octave\Octave-5.2.0\mingw64\bin\test-lua.exe"
"C:\Octave\Octave-5.2.0\mingw64\bin\test-tinyxml.exe"
"C:\Octave\Octave-5.2.0\mingw64\include\llvm\Testing" <-- this is a directory
"C:\Octave\Octave-5.2.0\mingw64\include\wx-3.0\wx\testing.h"
...
Which resembles a lot the typical UNIX/Linux results, you're used to.
More information about forfiles can be found, launching forfiles /?.

Answer 4

Based upon your statement, "I am hoping to return something that can easily be imported into an array", I'd assume you're probably looking for something more like this:
#Echo Off
Rem Ensure that extensions are enabled (required for SET and FOR commands)
SetLocal EnableExtensions
Rem Ensures that there are no existing variables in the environment with names beginning with file[
For /F "Delims==" %%G In ('" Set file[ 2> NUL "') Do Set "%%G="
Rem Gets every file matching the glob test* in the tree rooted at "C:\path\to"
Rem and defines an incremented variable name for each, beginning at %file[1]%
For /F "Tokens=1,* Delims=]" %%G In (
'" Dir /B /S /A-D "C:\path\to\test*" 2> NUL | "%__AppDir__%find.exe" /N /V "" "'
) Do Set "file%%G]=%%H"
Rem An example line to show you all of the variables you have now defined
Set file[ 2> NUL
Rem Pause the script to ensure that you have been able to read any output
Pause
Rem An example line to show you all the first defined variable value
Echo=%file[1]%
Rem Pause the script to ensure that you have been able to read any output
Pause
...and here it is without the Remarks:
#Echo Off
SetLocal EnableExtensions
For /F "Delims==" %%G In ('" Set file[ 2> NUL "') Do Set "%%G="
For /F "Tokens=1,* Delims=]" %%G In (
'" Dir /B /S /A-D "C:\path\to\test*" 2> NUL | "%__AppDir__%find.exe" /N /V "" "'
) Do Set "file%%G]=%%H"
Set file[ 2> NUL
Pause
Echo=%file[1]%
Pause
Don't forget to change C:\path\to\test* as required for your specific location and glob.