Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Name

mv

Synopsis

mv [option] sources target

Move or rename files and directories. The source (first column) and target (second column) determine the result (third column).

Source	Target	Result
File	name (nonexistent)	Rename file to name.
File	Existing file	Overwrite existing file with source file.
Directory	name (nonexistent)	Rename directory to name.
Directory	Existing directory	Move directory to be a subdirectory of existing directory.
One or more files	Existing directory	Move files to directory.

The mv command is often aliased as mv -i in the .bashrc file, especially for the root account, to prevent inadvertently overwriting files.

Options

-b

Back up existing 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 ...