UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi, i need help on how to do this:
to make a shell script that reads 2 parameters in command line, one directory and pattern. Then it must search for the string in all files starting from the indicated directory (including subfolders) and excluding binary files.
The results should show the complete route of the files that the pattern has been found, the number of times that the pattern has been found as well.
Could you please tell me how this can be done? i've been playing around with grep and find, but since i'm completely newbie i could get to a correct result. thanks

How do you define 'exclude binary files'. In general it is far easier to include a category than to exclude something that can be one of a large number of file internal structures.

You need to try this command and work out what you want to include:

Code:

cd /directory  # one with lots of kinds of files
file * | sort -u

The actual text you get depends on what UNIX your are running.

Post back when you know what you want.