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# Globbing

Globbing is the procedure of

- matching all filenames against a given pattern
- expanding to all matching filenames

Unlike MSDOS, where the called program had to interpret the patterns, the globbing on UNIX® is done by the shell, the matched filenames are given as parameters to a called command:

    $ cat *.txt

really executes

    $ cat 1.txt 3.txt foobar.txt XXX.txt

The term \"glob\" originates back in the UNIX® days where an executable `glob` (from \"global\") existed which was used to expand pattern-matching characters. Later, this functionality was built into the shell. There's still a library function called `glob()` (POSIX®), which serves the same purpose.

## See also

- shell
- hardlink

## See also (article)

- pathname expansion

November 7, 2024
November 7, 2024

## Comments