Linux mv command allows us to move a file or directory to another directory. In this tutorial, we will introduce how to use this command by using some examples.
Syntax
We can use linux mv command as follows:
mv [Option] source destination
Option can be:
| option | description |
|---|---|
| mv -f | force move by overwriting destination file without prompt |
| mv -i | interactive prompt before overwrite |
| mv -u | update – move when source is newer than destination |
| mv -v | verbose – print source and destination files |
| mv -n | prevent an existing file from being overwritten |
| mv -b | take a backup of an existing file that will be overwritten by mv. This will create a backup file with the tilde character(~) appended to it |
Then, we can use some examples to show how to use it.
Move some files
For example:
mv main.c def.h /home/usr/rapid/
main.c and def.h will be moved to /home/usr/rapid/
mv *.c bak
All .c files will be moved to bak directory
Rename file or directory
mv main.c main.bak
main.c file will be renamed main.bak
mv bak bak2
bak folder will be renamed bak2
Move directory
mv bak /home/bak2
bak folder will be moved to /home/bak2