[Gnu tools] find quirks

Intended effect

List all directories recursively called "ready" or "data" .

Failing command

find . -type d -a \(-name ready -o -name data\)

find: paths must precede expression: `(-name' 

Cause

find is somewhat picky with respect to parenthesis. It is not enough to escape them.

Solution

Make sure, whitespace is around them.

find . -type d -a \( -name ready -o -name data \)