---
name: "find"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "ksh"
version: "42"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/find/3"
---

# find(3)

fastfind algorithm interface

## NAME

find - fastfind algorithm interface

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <find.h>
void* findopen(const char* pattern);
char* findnext(void* handle);
void findclose(void* handle);
```

## DESCRIPTION

*These routines access the data generated by the* *fastfind* *algorithm.* *The data itself is generated by a standalone program that is run daily* *via* *cron* *or* *at*.

$1$2findopenfindopenfindopenfindopenfindopenfindopenfindopenfindopen returns a handle to a  *fastfind* stream for the  *ksh* file pattern *pattern*. $1$2findnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnext returns the next pathname that matches the pattern specified by *handle*. $1$2findnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnextfindnext returns  $1$200000000 when no more pathnames match the pattern. Finally, $1$2findclosefindclosefindclosefindclosefindclosefindclosefindclosefindclose closes the *fastfind* stream for *handle*.

## BUGS

These rotuines are only as good as the *fastfind* information which is in the system administration domain.

## SEE ALSO

tw(1), [find(1)](/find/1.md), [strmatch(3)](/strmatch/3.md)\
 James A. Woods, *Fast Find Algorithm*, Usenix ;login:, February/March, 1983, p. 8