5 ms·

It should be noted that "faster" is due to the fact that it limits itself to searching the subset of files that have code extensions. I've tested grep against

by gegtik 12y ago

It should be noted that "faster" is due to the fact that it limits itself to searching the subset of files that have code extensions. I've tested grep against ack and ag for large text files and grep won handily, especially the latest version of grep. Also note you can use GNU Parallel to run multiple greps

djeikyb 12y ago
Yeah, I think it's important not to throw grep away. Ack is really for when you don't know or can't be bothered to explicitly mention the (several) specific files to search.
- petdance 12y ago
  > I think it's important not to throw grep away Exactly. There's no reason that you can't have grep AND ack AND ag in your toolbox to choose from.
  - pekk 12y ago
    Sure, there's no reason, but it still sucks to have 3 tools for essentially the same task due to defects in each.
    - gegtik 12y ago
      Can you elaborate on these defects
fra 12y ago
Right, and grep lets you filter files by extensions so there's really no reason to use ack or ag... alias ack="grep --include=*.c"