This directory of Linux commands is from Linux in a Nutshell, 5th Edition.
Click on any of the 687 commands below to get a description and list of available options. All links in the command summaries point to the online version of the book on Safari Bookshelf.
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mv
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
Options
Back up files before removing.
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.
Force the move, even if target file exists; suppress messages about restricted access modes. Same as --reply=yes.
Print a help message and then exit.
Query user before removing files. Same as --reply=query.
Specify how to handle prompt if the destination exists already. Possible values are yes, no, and query.
Remove trailing slashes from source paths.
Override the SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX environment variable, which determines the suffix used for making simple backup files. If the suffix is not set either way, the default is a tilde (~).
Move all source files and directories into the specified directory.
Do not remove a file or link if its modification date is the same as or newer than that of its replacement.
Print the name of each file before moving it.
Print version information and then exit.
