NAME
mv - move or rename files
SYNOPSIS
mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file1 file2
mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file ... directory
DESCRIPTION
Mv moves (changes the name of) file1 to file2.
If file2 already exists, it is
removed before file1 is moved. If
file2 has a mode which forbids writing, mv prints the mode
(see
chmod(2)) and reads the standard input to obtain a line; if
the
line begins with y, the move takes place; if not, mv
exits.
In the second form, one or more
files (plain files or directories)
are moved to the directory with their original
file-names.
Mv refuses to move a file onto itself.
Options:
-i stands for interactive mode.
Whenever a move is to supercede
an existing file, the user is prompted by the name of the
file
followed by a question mark. If he answers with a line
starting with ’y’, the move continues. Any other
reply
prevents the move from occurring.
-f stands for force. This option
overrides any mode restrictions
or the -i switch.
- means interpret all the
following arguments to mv as file
names. This allows file names starting with minus.
SEE ALSO
cp(1), ln(1)
BUGS
If file1 and file2 lie on different file systems, mv must
copy the
file and delete the original. In this case the owner name
becomes
that of the copying process and any linking relationship
with other
files is lost.