updatedbconf

updatedbconf, commonly referred to by its file name updatedb.conf, is the configuration file for the updatedb utility, the component that builds and updates the database used by the locate command. The file governs how the file system is scanned and which paths or file system types are excluded from indexing. By adjusting its settings, administrators can optimize performance, reduce indexing time, and avoid indexing sensitive or unnecessary areas.

The standard location for updatedb.conf is typically /etc/updatedb.conf, though some systems may use alternative paths or naming conventions depending on the locate implementation (mlocate, plocate, etc.). Updatedb reads this configuration when it runs, which is often invoked by system maintenance tasks such as cron jobs or systemd timers to refresh the locate database.

Common configuration variables found in updatedb.conf include:

- PRUNEFS: a list of filesystem types to prune (skip) during indexing, such as proc, sysfs, devtmpfs, or tmpfs.

- PRUNEPATHS: a list of directory paths to exclude from indexing, for example /proc, /dev, /sys, /run, /tmp, or user-specific cache directories.

Other variables may exist depending on the distribution and version, including additional path patterns or control flags. Values are typically plain text, and comment lines begin with a hash (#).

Editing updatedb.conf should be done with root or appropriate privileges. Changes affect how the locate database is built and can influence search results and system performance. For specific syntax and options, refer to the documentation for the installed locate implementation.