How to have locatedb created / updated automatically

automationcommand line

I ran locate blob.txt and I got:

$ locate .bashrc

WARNING: The locate database (/var/db/locate.database) does not exist.
To create the database, run the following command:

  sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

Please be aware that the database can take some time to generate; once
the database has been created, this message will no longer appear.

I ran this command and my locate database was built within a few minutes (includes tens of thousand of files).

On my Linux (Ubuntu) system my locatedb database is updated automatically by default, on a daily basis I believe.

How do I turn this on for my Mac?

Best Answer

When you run that command, launchd will update the database every week automatically. On my system, the plist is set to run every Saturday at 3:15am.

Edit from OP: Yes, works, note: Also it ran once when submitted, so for me, within a few minutes I was able to use locate. the update process runs in the background so you may have to wait a few minutes before locate then works (You'll get the "The locate database ... does not exist" message until then).

Related Solutions

How do i automatically send ebooks to the Kindle

On the Mac You can use automator to set up a folder action for this. I added a filter for mobi files use this folder action directly with my Downloads folder. The Script consists of three actions:

The first action would be this applescript:

on run {input, parameters}
    set theFile to first item in input
    set theFileAsString to theFile as string
    if theFileAsString ends with "mobi" then
        return theFile
    else
        tell me to quit
    end if
end run

Second, you need a "New Mail Message" action with your name@kindle.com email address. Be sure, that the sending mail address is trusted in your kindle settings of your Amazon account.

Third, you would use the "Send Outgoing Messages" action.

Be aware that this script takes only the first mobi file when you drop multiple files at once into your folder.

Way for OSX to auto-copy a file somewhere whenever it’s updated

You would use something called Folder Action.

Right click on the Folder you want to monitor and select Folder action set up.

In the new window choose folder action workflow, and attach it.

Now select it and choose edit workflow, which will open Automator.

Here you do as shown below, while you can choose when it happens and where to save a copy.

workflow

Best Answer

Related Solutions

How do i automatically send ebooks to the Kindle

Way for OSX to auto-copy a file somewhere whenever it’s updated

Related Question