The `mv` command in Linux is used to move or rename files and directories. It allows users to transfer files from one location to another within the same filesystem, or to rename files and directories while keeping them in the same location. The command's syntax is `mv [options] source destination`, where 'source' is the file or directory to be moved or renamed, and 'destination' is the target location or new name. The `mv` command is versatile, supporting various options such as preserving file attributes, overwriting existing files, and moving directories recursively. It is an essential tool for managing file organization and performing batch renaming tasks in the Linux command line environment.
NAME
mv - move (rename) files
SYNOPSIS
mv [OPTION]... [-T] SOURCE DEST
mv [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
mv [OPTION]... -t 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
-i, --interactive
prompt before overwrite
-n, --no-clobber
do not overwrite an existing file
If you specify more than one of -i, -f, -n, only the final one takes
effect.
--strip-trailing-slashes
remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE argument
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX
override the usual backup suffix
-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY
move all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-T, --no-target-directory
treat DEST as a normal file
-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
-Z, --context
set SELinux security context of destination file to default type
--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
GNU coreutils online help: <http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/> Report
mv translation bugs to <http://translationproject.org/team/>
AUTHOR
Written by Mike Parker, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL
version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There
is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
SEE ALSO
rename(2)
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 coreutils 'mv invocation'
should give you access to the complete manual.
GNU coreutils 8.22 April 2018 MV(1)