'whereis' failed to work... any reason?

jc9869 · jc9869 #1 (**permalink**)

04-02-2010, 05:35 AM

i am new to Mac.
i run 'whereis' program before and apart from the program path, it showed me the other directories the program is also using... (i use whereis firefox to check the directories) but lately it suddenly doesn't work... just nothing except going back to the prompt.
someone said the application (firefox) is not under the PATH, i checked and understood, but just don't get it why whereis work before and now don't.
i tried whereis whereis and it replied /usr/bin/whereis
how to make it back to before?

thanks.

vansmith · vansmith #2 (**permalink**)

04-02-2010, 12:07 PM

If you type in

Code:

sysctl user.cs_path

you will see the list of directories whereis will look. If Firefox is not in one of those directories (which it shouldn't be), it won't show up. I can't explain why it showed up in the first place unless you put it in one of the standard binary directories (which should avoid doing as there is no benefit to you for doing so).

If you want more info on whereis, look at the man page:

Code:

man whereis

vansmith #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,462 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	04-02-2010, 12:07 PM If you type in Code: sysctl user.cs_path you will see the list of directories whereis will look. If Firefox is not in one of those directories (which it shouldn't be), it won't show up. I can't explain why it showed up in the first place unless you put it in one of the standard binary directories (which should avoid doing as there is no benefit to you for doing so). If you want more info on whereis, look at the man page: Code: man whereis Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
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'whereis' failed to work... any reason?

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jc9869 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 5	04-02-2010, 05:35 AM i am new to Mac. i run 'whereis' program before and apart from the program path, it showed me the other directories the program is also using... (i use whereis firefox to check the directories) but lately it suddenly doesn't work... just nothing except going back to the prompt. someone said the application (firefox) is not under the PATH, i checked and understood, but just don't get it why whereis work before and now don't. i tried whereis whereis and it replied /usr/bin/whereis how to make it back to before? thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

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