## Name

strings - find printable strings in files

## Synopsis

```**sh
$ strings [-n NUMBER] [-p] [-t FORMAT] [PATHS...]  
```

## Description

`strings` looks for printable strings in each file specified in `PATHS` and writes them to standard output. If `PATHS` is not specified, input is read from standard input.

## Options

* `-n NUMBER`: Specify the minimum string length (4 is default).
* `-p`: Write the pathname for each file specified in `PATHS` to standard output.
* `-t FORMAT`: Write each string preceded by its byte offset from the start of the file in the specified `FORMAT`, where `FORMAT` matches one of the following: `d` (decimal), `o` (octal), or `x` (hexidecimal).

## Examples

Display the printable strings in /bin/strings with a minimum length of 8 characters:

```sh
$ strings -n 8 /bin/strings
```

Display the printable strings in a binary file, preceded by their byte offset in hexadecimal format:

```sh
$ strings -t x ~/Videos/test.webm
```

Display the printable strings in all .txt files in the current directory, preceded by their pathname:

```sh
$ strings -p *.txt
```