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`bfs`
=====
Breadth-first search for your files.
`bfs` is a variant of the UNIX `find` command that operates [breadth-first](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadth-first_search) rather than [depth-first](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth-first_search).
It is otherwise intended to be [compatible](https://github.com/tavianator/bfs/issues/6) with GNU `find`.
If you're not familiar with `find`, have a look at the [GNU find manual](https://www.gnu.org/software/findutils/manual/html_mono/find.html) to get acquainted first.
Breadth vs. depth
-----------------
The advantage of breadth-first over depth first search is that it usually finds the file(s) you're looking for faster.
Imagine the following directory tree:
<pre>
haystack
├── deep
│ └── 1
│ └── 2
│ └── 3
│ └── 4
│ └── ...
└── shallow
└── <strong>needle</strong>
</pre>
`find` will explore the entire `deep` directory tree before it ever gets to the `shallow` one that contains what you're looking for.
<pre>
$ <strong>find</strong> haystack
haystack
haystack/deep
haystack/deep/1
haystack/deep/1/2
haystack/deep/1/2/3
haystack/deep/1/2/3/4
...
haystack/shallow
<strong>haystack/shallow/needle</strong>
</pre>
On the other hand, `bfs` lists files from shallowest to deepest, so you never have to wait for it to explore an entire unrelated subtree.
<pre>
$ <strong>bfs</strong> haystack
haystack
haystack/deep
haystack/shallow
haystack/deep/1
<strong>haystack/shallow/needle</strong>
haystack/deep/1/2
haystack/deep/1/2/3
haystack/deep/1/2/3/4
...
</pre>
Easy
----
`bfs` tries to be easier to use than `find`, while remaining compatible.
For example, `bfs` is less picky about where you put its arguments:
<pre>
$ <strong>find</strong> -L -name 'needle' <em>haystack</em>
find: paths must precede expression: haystack
$ <strong>bfs</strong> -L -name 'needle' <em>haystack</em>
<strong>haystack/needle</strong>
$ <strong>find</strong> <em>haystack</em> -L -name 'needle'
find: unknown predicate `-L'
$ <strong>bfs</strong> <em>haystack</em> -L -name 'needle'
<strong>haystack/needle</strong>
$ <strong>find</strong> -L <em>haystack</em> -name 'needle'
<strong>haystack/needle</strong>
$ <strong>bfs</strong> -L <em>haystack</em> -name 'needle'
<strong>haystack/needle</strong>
</pre>
`bfs` also adds some extra options that make some common tasks easier.
Compare `bfs -nohidden` to `find -name '.?*' -prune -o -print`.
Pretty
------
When `bfs` detects that its output is a terminal, it automatically colors its output with the same colors `ls` uses.
This makes it easier to identify relevant files at a glance.
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