How to grep recursively, but only in files with certain extensions

grep

I'm working on a script to grep certain directories:

{ grep -r -i CP_Image ~/path1/;
grep -r -i CP_Image ~/path2/;
grep -r -i CP_Image ~/path3/;
grep -r -i CP_Image ~/path4/;
grep -r -i CP_Image ~/path5/; }
| mailx -s GREP email@domain.com

How can I limit results only to extensions .h and .cpp?

Best Answer

Just use the --include parameter, like this:

grep -inr --include \*.h --include \*.cpp CP_Image ~/path[12345] | mailx -s GREP email@domain.com

That should do what you want.

To take the explanation from HoldOffHunger's answer below:

  • grep: command

  • -r: recursively

  • -i: ignore-case

  • -n: each output line is preceded by its relative line number in the file

  • --include \*.cpp: all *.cpp: C++ files (escape with \ just in case you have a directory with asterisks in the filenames)

  • ./: Start at current directory.