How to make an advanced file search?
Instant File Find supports both keyword search and wildcard search.
WILDCARDS
- wildcard search
- * The asterisk wildcard matches zero or more charcaters.
- ? The question mark wildcard matches exactly one character.
- ; The semicolon character seperates search patterns.
SEARCH TYPES
- definition of search types
- Keyword Search : A search pattern that doesn't contain "*", "?" and ";".
- Wildcard Search : A search pattern that contains "*", "?" or ";".
EXAMPLES
- some examples
| Pattern | Matches | Not Match | Description |
| happy | Enjoy a Happy Life | Enjoy Life | keyword search, search for file names contain "happy" |
| enjoy * life | Enjoy a Happy Life | A Happy Life | wildcard * search, search for file names that begin with "enjoy" and end with "life" |
| happy* | Happy Life | Enjoy a Happy Life | wildcard * search, search for file names that begin with "enjoy" |
| *life | Enjoy a Happy Life | Enjoy Life and Be Happy | wildcard * search, search for file names that end with "life" |
| enjoy ? happy life | Enjoy a Happy Life | Enjoy our Happy Life | wildcard ? search |
| happy; | Happy | Enjoy a Happy Life | search for file names that exactly is "happy" |
| *life;*happy | Enjoy a Happy Life Enjoy Life and Be Happy |
Enjoy a Happy Life.txt | ";" separator merges results |
| *life;happy | Enjoy a Happy Life Happy | Enjoy Life and Be Happy | This is a wildcard search, not a keyword search . It doesn't match "AAA happy BBB" . |
| *life;*happy* | Enjoy a Happy Life Happy Enjoy Life and Be Happy |
Enjoy Life.txt | matches "AAA happy BBB' also." |
| ; | Nothing | Everything | single ";" means search for nothing (this could help you release memory) |
