> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://42-guide.gitbook.io/42-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://42-guide.gitbook.io/42-guide/piscine-life/shell01/count_files.md).

# count\_files

**Objective:**

Write a shell script named `count_files.sh` that counts and displays the number of **regular files and directories** in the current directory and all its subdirectories. The count should include the current directory (`.`).

***

**Key Concepts:**

1. **File and Directory Counting**: Learn how to count files and directories using the `find` command.
2. **Combining Conditions**: Use the `-o` (OR) operator in `find` to search for both files and directories.
3. **Word Count Command**: Use the `wc -l` command to count the number of lines output by `find`.

***

**Script Implementation:**

Here’s the script you will use:

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
find . -type f -o -type d | wc -l
```

***

**Explanation of the Script:**

Let’s break down the script line by line:

1. **`#!/usr/bin/env bash`**:
   * This is the **shebang**. It tells the system to use the `bash` shell to execute the script. Using `#!/usr/bin/env bash` is more portable than `#!/bin/bash` because it finds the `bash` interpreter in the user's environment.
2. **`find . -type f -o -type d`**:

   * The `find` command is used to search for files and directories.
   * `.` specifies the current directory (and its subdirectories) as the starting point for the search.
   * `-type f` tells `find` to look for **regular files**.
   * `-o` is the **OR** operator. It allows `find` to search for either files (`-type f`) or directories (`-type d`).
   * `-type d` tells `find` to look for **directories**.

   **Example**: If your directory contains the following:

   ```
   ./file1.txt
   ./folder1/
   ./folder1/file2.txt
   ./folder1/subfolder/
   ```

   The `find` command will output:

   ```
   .
   ./file1.txt
   ./folder1
   ./folder1/file2.txt
   ./folder1/subfolder
   ```
3. **`wc -l`**:

   * The `wc` command is used to count lines, words, or characters in input.
   * The `-l` option tells `wc` to count the number of **lines**.
   * Since `find` outputs one file or directory per line, `wc -l` will count the total number of files and directories.

   **Example**: If `find` outputs 5 lines, `wc -l` will return:

   ```
   5
   ```

***

**Testing the Script:**

To test your script, follow these steps:

1. **Create Test Files and Directories**:
   * Create a few files and directories in your current directory:

     ```bash
     mkdir -p folder1/subfolder
     touch file1.txt folder1/file2.txt
     ```
2. **Run the Script**:
   * Execute the script:

     ```
     ./count_files.sh
     ```
3. **Expected Output**:
   * The output should be the total number of files and directories, including the current directory (`.`). For the example above, the output will be:

     ```
     5
     ```

***

**Why This Script Works:**

* The `find` command locates all files and directories in the current directory and its subdirectories.
* The `-o` operator ensures that both files and directories are included in the search.
* The `wc -l` command counts the number of lines output by `find`, which corresponds to the total number of files and directories.

***

**Additional Resources:**

* **`find` Command Documentation**: Learn more about the `find` command by typing `man find` or visiting the [GNU Findutils documentation](https://www.gnu.org/software/findutils/manual/html_mono/find.html).
* **`wc` Command Documentation**: Learn more about the `wc` command by typing `man wc` or visiting the [GNU Coreutils documentation](https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/manual/coreutils.html#wc-invocation).
* **Bash Scripting Guide**: For more information on writing bash scripts, check out this [Bash scripting tutorial](https://ryanstutorials.net/bash-scripting-tutorial/).

***

**Key Takeaways:**

* You learned how to use the `find` command to search for both files and directories.
* You practiced using the `wc -l` command to count lines of output.
* You combined conditions in `find` using the `-o` (OR) operator.

<br>


---

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