Using the mv Command
The mv command is used to move or rename files and directories.
It's like changing where a file is or what it's called.
Basic Usage
To move a file, use mv source_file destination_directory :
Example
mv my_file.txt /path/to/destination/Renaming Files
To rename a file, use mv old_name new_name :
Example
mv old_name.txt new_name.txtOptions Overview
The mv command has several options to customize its behavior:
- -i - Ask before replacing files
- -u - Move only if the source is newer
- -v - Verbose mode, show files being moved
-i Option: Prompt Before Overwrite
The -i option will prompt you before overwriting files, helping you avoid accidental replacements.
Example: Prompt Before Overwrite
mv -i my_file.txt myfolder/
mv: overwrite 'myfolder/my_file.txt'?-u Option: Move Only Newer Files
The -u option moves files only if the source file is newer than the destination file.
Example: Move Only Newer Files
mv -u new_file.txt /path/to/destination/-v Option: Verbose Mode
The -v option enables verbose mode, which displays the files being moved in the terminal.
This is useful for tracking the move process, especially when dealing with many files.
Example: Verbose Mode
mv -v my_file.txt myfolder/new_directory/
renamed 'my_file.txt' -> 'myfolder/new_directory/my_file.txt'Using mv with Wildcards
Wildcards allow you to move multiple files at once. For example, mv *.txt /destination/ will move all text files to the destination folder.
Example: Using Wildcards
mv *.txt /destination/