View source for Path Finder

{{Short description|File browser}}
{{Other uses|Pathfinder (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox Software
| name = Path Finder
| logo = Path Finder 5 for Mac.png
| logo caption = Path Finder's current logo
| developer = [[Cocoatech]]
| latest_release_version = 
| latest_release_date = 
| operating_system = [[macOS]]
| genre = [[File browser]]
| license = [[Shareware]]
| website = {{URL|https://cocoatech.io/}}
}}
'''Path Finder''' (originally '''SNAX''') is a [[Macintosh]] [[file browser]] developed by [[Cocoatech]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Granneman |first=Scott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qG2Bb4JtfwgC |title=Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users: Advanced Capabilities and Techniques |date=2011-01-11 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-3031-1 |pages=76–82 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Rob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=81iKzaihaDkC |title=Mac OS X Hints: Jaguar Edition |date=2003 |publisher="O'Reilly Media, Inc." |isbn=978-0-596-00451-4 |pages=332–333 |language=en}}</ref> First released in 2001 simultaneously with the public release of [[Mac OS X 10.0|Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah)]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Interview: Steve Gehrman of Path Finder/CocoaTech | date = 25 June 2009 | url = http://theappleblog.com/2009/06/25/interview-steve-gehrman-of-path-findercocoatech/ | accessdate = 2010-02-27}}</ref> it replicates or integrates most of the features of the [[Macintosh Finder|Finder]], but introduces additional functionality similar to that found in Windows's [[File Explorer]], the defunct [[Norton Commander]], and other third-party file browsers developed for a variety of platforms.

== Features ==
Primarily a [[navigational file manager]], Path Finder also features support for configuration as a correct [[orthodox file manager|orthodox]], or [[spatial file manager]]. Most operations can take place in a single window, although more windows or tabs can be opened. The interface can further be customized by enabling or disabling various panels and/or their corresponding functionality.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Some of Path Finder's features not found in the Finder include its namesake persistent [[breadcrumb navigation]], [[shelf (computing)|shelf]] (called Drop Stack), transparent [[archive file]] browsing, manipulating hidden files, root access, full [[Access-control list|ACL]] GUI, batch operations, folder comparison and synchronization, [[terminal emulator]], [[hex editor]], active process viewer, and application launcher.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Path Finder file browser adds undo, superuser mode |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/181193/pathfinder-3.html |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref> Path Finder can optionally use the same {{Key top|Return|Return|narrow}} keyboard shortcut to open folders as Windows Explorer, instead of the default {{Key press|cmd|O}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Rose |first=Scott |date=April 2008 |title=Finder Alternative |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zQIAAAAAMBAJ&dq=mac+%22path+finder%22&pg=PT79 |magazine=[[MacLife]] |language=en |publisher= |page=85}}</ref> It also supports an optional dual-pane UI.<ref name=":1" />

Several features were first present in Cocoatech's Path Finder, an later adopted in Apple's [[Finder (software)|Finder]], including tabs<ref name=":0" /> (added in [[OS X Mavericks]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siracusa |first=John |date=2013-10-22 |title=OS X 10.9 Mavericks: The Ars Technica Review |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/os-x-10-9/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>) and an option to keep folders above files.<ref name=":0" />

== Reception ==
In his 2005 review of [[Mac OS X Tiger]], ''[[Ars Technica]]'' columnist John Siracusa commented that Path Finder "absolutely ''embarrasses'' the Mac OS X Finder", and called Path Finder 4 "the Final Cut Pro of file management" and a "file browsing tour de force".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siracusa |first=John |date=2005-04-28 |title=Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2005/04/macosx-10-4/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Comparison of file managers]]
* [[File manager]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://cocoatech.io/}}

{{File managers}}

[[Category:File managers]]
[[Category:Utilities for macOS]]
[[Category:Shareware]]


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