How to grep (or find) on cPanel?

Question

How can I search for a specific string (function name or a variable name) in my files which are in various directories under cPanel file manager?

I have been using a library directory and functions on that directory are used in various apps and pages. Now, I am in a situation to change something in the library file, for which I need to know the impact on files which use this library file functions.

How to search / find / grep through the files hosted?

Answer 1

I can understand the frustration when you don't have access to SSH. Below is a simple Php script that you save in a file in the root folder from where you want to start your search. For example, I wanted to find all files that have the HEX color code string 'ecebeb' under the ../public_html (or the www) folder. Retracing the steps here.

1. Login to yourdomain/cpanel
2. Go to File Manager - elect to go to www/public_html
3. Create new file with .php extension - I created ecebeb.php - then edit it.

4. Copy below 6 lines script, paste it in the ecebeb.php edit window and save the file.

   <?php
$command = "grep -ri 'ecebeb' ./*";
$output = shell_exec($command);
echo "$output";
echo "Grep job over.";
?>

5. Now, open a new browser tab/window and browse to the URL like:

   yourdomain/ecebeb.php

Answer 2

AFAIK, it’s impossible. You must write a PHP/Perl/Python/whatever script and run it on your server to get the list of files and grep through it.