How to automate execution locate.updatedb by using a bash script

Question

I am looking for a bash set of commands that will enable me to schedule the execution of /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb once every day.

Please respond only with a set of command line commands, because I want to include this in a "setup" script (in order to be able to reuse it when I go to another machine).

possible duplicate of How can I run/stop/relaunch an application automatically, at boot/login/some other time? — , May 26 '11 at 17:55
May I ask why you're using slocate instead of Spotlight? (At the command line: mdfind) — Jason Salaz, May 26 '11 at 20:41
Depending on the OSX version, it should be rebuilt weekly. Look in /etc/periodic/weekly. You should find (on 10.5.8) 310.weekly. This rebuilds the locate database. — , Dec 04 '11 at 15:22
After further checking, 310.locate is used in Leopard, NOT Snow! I added the script 310.local to my iMac that has 10.6.8 in /etc/periodic/weekly and added the appropriate string in /etc/defaults/periodic.conf. I suppose Apple could enable this from launchctld(sp?) as could I, but I chose this way instead. — , Dec 05 '11 at 14:06

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '11 at 18:22

2

After additional (re)search I found an easy solution:

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

This is also persistent, so it will run updatedb daily.

answered May 26 '11 at 18:22

sorin

29,875

4

This only runs locate.updatedb weekly (every saturday morning at 3:15am). If you want it to run daily, remove <key>Weekday</key> <integer>6</integer> from the StartCalendarInterval dictionary in that plist file (then unload and reload it). – Gordon Davisson May 27 '11 at 00:34
Isn't there a way to run this so it is actually synced. Meaning if I delete then things get removed. Also if add, things get added. – mjs Jul 30 '19 at 19:34

How to automate execution locate.updatedb by using a bash script

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