System and method for searching a volume of files

Abstract

A pathname-based index is constructed for use in searching for a file of interest that resides in a volume of files. Thus, information contained in the paths present in the volume of files (e.g., directories and subdirectories) is used for efficiently searching for a file of interest. According to certain embodiments, an indexing application searches a volume of files and retrieves information (e.g., metadata) about the files contained therein for storage to a database that can then be searched, rather than requiring the full volume itself to be searched. Further, the file information (e.g., metadata) is indexed in the database based on the files' respective pathname in the volume of files. Thus, information contained in the file's pathname can be utilized in searching the database for information about the file (e.g., for discovering the file as being of interest).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.