Not enough memory to run command

[peterchu]

When I use "find" command on the shell , it deny me to do it and pop the below error , may be we have too many files so not enough memory to do that , can I increase the memory and do it again ? if it is OK , how can I increase the memory ? thx

-bash: /usr/bin/find: Argument list too long

[peterchu]

except recompile the kernel , what can I temporarily do it ? thx.

[Joseph Loo · Accepted solution]

hi,

i do not think it has anything to do with memory. as the error message put it, the argument list you have given to find is too long. see this for explanation and resolution:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6060

regards.

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

can you send exactly command line do you use?

[KapilRaj]

find /dir1 in stead of find . I suppose should work for you ..

Kaps

[Hein van den Heuvel]

It is not a problem with physical memory, not even one of virtual memory, but an artificial limitation created for any and all of the following reasons:
- to protect you from yourself exectuing 'out-of-control' commands
- to adhere to a (posix) standard [Tru64 Unix has this, you have to issue:
sysconfig -r proc exec_disable_arg_limit=1
- to created easier code.

Mostly using find is used as a solution to this standard problem. Since for you it is the cause, we'd like to see the exact command used. You are not using 'find * ...' are you?

Hein.

[dirk dierickx]

this is not a memory problem. if you want to get help you will need to show the exact 'find' command you typed in so we can tell you what you are doing wrong.

[Hein van den Heuvel]

Hmmm... I'm slightly confused by Dirk's reply.
What is the point? The two points made (not a memory problem, what is the exact command) were both made twice before over 3 much earlier replies. It doesn't seem like a timing window, but I suppose it could have been a reply stuck in some queue or forgotten window (I've done that, and posted days too late :-).
Never mind me... Cheers, Hein.