OSXFAQ Mac OS X UNIX Tip-of-the-Day 

So far we've seen how to examine file metadata using the mdls command. To search the file system for specific content or metadata, use mdfind. Here's an example to search for the text "DOCSIS MIB" (it's a cable TV term):

These results should match those found by pressing Command-Space and entering the same term into the Spotlight bar.

Here's another example:

Or:

Why does this search produce more results than just SHREW.PDF? Because Spotlight is looking for

(it ignores the comma) but not necessarily consecutively. If all three words appear somewhere in a document, that document will match the search.

We can also look for specific metadata. Tuesday's tip showed us that songs include the metadata item

Let's search for all songs that are 'Hip Hop/Rap':

Use mdls to discover other types of metadata for other content types.

Tomorrow's tip will show how to perform more complex searches using mdfind.