Linux in a Nutshell, Fifth Edition

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Chapter 3: Linux Commands

This is the Title of the Book, eMatter Edition

Copyright © 2006 O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

mv

mv [option] sources target

Move or rename files and directories. The source (first column) and

target (second column) determine the result (third column):

The mv command is often aliased as mv -i in the .bashrc file, espe-

cially for the root account, to prevent inadvertently overwriting

files.

Options

-b Back up files before removing.

--backup[=type]

Like -b, but can take an argument specifying the type of

version-control file to use for the backup. The value of type

overrides the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable,

which determines the type of backups made. The acceptable

values for version control are:

t, numbered

Always make numbered backups.

nil, existing

Make numbered backups of files that already have them,

and make simple backups of the others. This is the

default.

never, simple

Always make simple backups.

none, off

Never make backups.

-f, --force

Force the move, even if target file exists; suppress messages

about restricted access modes. Same as --reply=yes.

--help

Print a help message and then exit.

-i, --interactive

Query user before removing files. Same as --reply=query.

--reply=prompt

Specify how to handle prompt if the destination exists already.

Possible values are yes, no, and query.

Source Target Result

File name (nonexistent) Rename file to name.

File