Worker file manager

1. File search

This document gives an overview of how to use the search function in Worker.

1.1. Introduction

In Worker 2.14.0 a new search command is available. Basically it can do the usual stuff. You can enter any start directory, enter a file pattern to match names with and optionally search the content of files.

Features:

Tips:

1.2. Search parameters

The top area of the search window contains the search parameters. Most of them should be fairly descriptive but here are some details:
  1. Start directory
    You can enter a single dot or leave it empty if you want to start the search in the current directory.
    The text field is invisible if search results are available which will be used for further results.
  2. File name
    Using the default settings you can enter shell-like patterns using an asterisk as a placeholder for an arbitrary string. You can select the option "Use regular expression" if you want to use regular expressions for more sophisticated patterns.
    You can also choose to match the complete file name including the path by selecting the corresponding option.
  3. File content
    If not empty the search also checks the content of the files accordingly the regular expression entered here. The list of results will then also contain the exact line number in which the entered string was found.
  4. Follow symlinks
    When selected the search will also enter symlinked directories when walking through the directory tree.
  5. Search content of archives too
    This option enables the search to look inside archives just as they were directories.
    Note: This can be significantly slower since every archive in any sub-directory will be opened. If the start directory is a remote directory this means that archives will be downloaded even if the search doesn't involve content matching.

1.3. Search results

Below the search parameters you can find the list of results. The complete file name is listed and, if the file content was checked, the line number.
There are buttons available for manipulating the results.
  1. Change directory to entry
    By clicking on this button you can immediately close the search window and the selected result will be highlighted in the active list view inside Worker.
    You can also double click on a result or press enter to do the same.
  2. View
    The active entry will be opened in the internal file viewer directly jumping to the corresponding line number, if any.
  3. Edit
    The edit command will be used to edit the active entry in an external editor. The command can be configured in the configuration of the search command.
  4. Remove selected results from list
    As the available results will be used for further results you can removed some entries from the list so these files won't be considered for search refinement.

1.4. Result store

You can select old results from the bottom list. The list of results will be updated just as the corresponding search parameters. You can also refine an older search by first selecting it and modify the search parameters and start the search again.

1.5. Panelize results

Since Worker 3.0.0 it is possible to show the results in the regular file view and work on these files. Just click on Panelize results button in the results window. You can choose to keep the window opened by right-clicking on the button. Otherwise the window closes and you see the matched files in the list view as a virtual directory. All file operation are supported in this view too (since Worker 3.1.0).

Here is an example of panelized search results: