Linux / Unix Command: mv

Command Library

NAME

mv - move (rename) files  

SYNOPSIS

mv [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST
mv [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
mv [OPTION]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...  

DESCRIPTION

Rename SOURCE to DEST, or move SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

--backup[=CONTROL]

make a backup of each existing destination file

-b

like --backup but does not accept an argument

-f, --force

do not prompt before overwriting equivalent to --reply=yes

-i, --interactive

prompt before overwrite equivalent to --reply=query

--reply={yes,no,query}

specify how to handle the prompt about an existing destination file

--strip-trailing-slashes remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE

argument

-S, --suffix=SUFFIX

override the usual backup suffix

--target-directory=DIRECTORY

move all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY

-u, --update

move only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing

-v, --verbose

explain what is being done

--help

display this help and exit

--version

output version information and exit

The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable. Here are the values:

none, off

never make backups (even if --backup is given)

numbered, t

make numbered backups

existing, nil

numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise

simple, never

always make simple backups

 

SEE ALSO

The full documentation for mv is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the info and mv programs are properly installed at your site, the command

info mv

should give you access to the complete manual.

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Important: Use the man command (% man) to see how a command is used on your particular computer.

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