- A
grep -r --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log
Correct. `-r` enables recursive search, and `--exclude='*.gz'` excludes .gz files from the search.
- B
grep -R --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log
Why wrong: Incorrect. `-R` is not the same as `-r`; `-R` dereferences symbolic links, potentially searching outside `/var/log`. The correct option is `-r`.
- C
grep -l 'ERROR' /var/log/*.gz
Why wrong: Incorrect. `-l` lists only filenames, but the command searches only `.gz` files (via the glob) and does not exclude them; also it does not recurse into subdirectories.
- D
grep -v '*.gz' -r 'ERROR' /var/log
Why wrong: Incorrect. `-v` inverts line matches (shows lines that do NOT match), and the glob pattern is misapplied as a file exclusion pattern. This command would not exclude .gz files from the search.
Grep Recursive with Exclude — Search String Excluding .gz Files
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer needs to search for the string 'ERROR' in all files under /var/log, but wants to exclude files ending with '.gz'. Which command is correct?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
grep -r --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log
Option A is correct because `grep -r` performs a recursive search through all files under /var/log, and the `--exclude='*.gz'` option tells grep to skip any files matching the glob pattern '*.gz'. This combination ensures that only non-compressed log files are searched for the string 'ERROR', meeting the requirement exactly. Option B uses `-R` instead of `-r`. In GNU grep, `-R` implies `--dereference-recursive`, which follows symbolic links into other directories. This could lead to searching outside `/var/log` if any symlinks point elsewhere, making it less precise for the stated requirement. While `-r` and `-R` are often conflated, `-R` is not equivalent to `-r` when symlinks are present, and the standard recursive option is `-r`. Therefore, B is incorrect.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
grep -r --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log
Why this is correct
Correct. `-r` enables recursive search, and `--exclude='*.gz'` excludes .gz files from the search.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
grep -R --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. `-R` is not the same as `-r`; `-R` dereferences symbolic links, potentially searching outside `/var/log`. The correct option is `-r`.
- ✗
grep -l 'ERROR' /var/log/*.gz
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. `-l` lists only filenames, but the command searches only `.gz` files (via the glob) and does not exclude them; also it does not recurse into subdirectories.
- ✗
grep -v '*.gz' -r 'ERROR' /var/log
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. `-v` inverts line matches (shows lines that do NOT match), and the glob pattern is misapplied as a file exclusion pattern. This command would not exclude .gz files from the search.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the distinction between `--exclude` (which filters files by name) and `-v` (which inverts line matches), leading candidates to mistakenly use `-v` with a glob pattern to try to exclude files.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. `-l` lists only filenames, but the command searches only `.gz` files (via the glob) and does not exclude them; also it does not recurse into subdirectories.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--exclude` option in grep uses shell-style glob patterns (not regular expressions) to skip files during recursive searches, which is efficient because grep internally checks the filename against the glob before opening the file. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine `--exclude` with `--include` to fine-tune searches across large log directories, and note that `--exclude` can be specified multiple times to skip multiple patterns (e.g., `--exclude='*.gz' --exclude='*.bz2'`).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: grep -r --exclude='*.gz' 'ERROR' /var/log — Option A is correct because `grep -r` performs a recursive search through all files under /var/log, and the `--exclude='*.gz'` option tells grep to skip any files matching the glob pattern '*.gz'. This combination ensures that only non-compressed log files are searched for the string 'ERROR', meeting the requirement exactly. Option B uses `-R` instead of `-r`. In GNU grep, `-R` implies `--dereference-recursive`, which follows symbolic links into other directories. This could lead to searching outside `/var/log` if any symlinks point elsewhere, making it less precise for the stated requirement. While `-r` and `-R` are often conflated, `-R` is not equivalent to `-r` when symlinks are present, and the standard recursive option is `-r`. Therefore, B is incorrect.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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