Grep file search returns: Is a directory in OSX Mountain Lion -

i trying search specific file using example how use grep command search file?

trying grep searchingforfile /users/myuser/path/to/dir returns:

grep: /users/myuser/path/to/dir: directory

please let me know best way search file in case.

if want find files begin f in current directory:

ls f*

if want find files ending "jpg" in current directory , directories below:

find . -type f -name "*.jpg" -print

if want filenames containing pattern in current directory , below:

find . -type f -name "pattern" -print

but put asterisk either side of pattern (i can't on here)

or, if pattern more complicated

find . -type f -print | grep "somefunkypattern"

if want search pattern in file called fred:

grep pattern fred

if want search bill or steve in files called friends1 , friends2 , don't care case (capital letters) use -i option:

egrep -i "steve|fred" friends1 friends2

if want search mike in files names start "friend*":

grep mike friend*

And