MV(1) UNIX Programmer's Manual MV(1) NAME mv - move or rename files SYNOPSIS mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file1 file2 mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file ... directory DESCRIPTION _M_v moves (changes the name of) _f_i_l_e_1 to _f_i_l_e_2. If _f_i_l_e_2 already exists, it is removed before _f_i_l_e_1 is moved. If _f_i_l_e_2 has a mode which forbids writing, _m_v prints the mode (see _c_h_m_o_d(2)) and reads the standard input to obtain a line; if the line begins with y, the move takes place; if not, _m_v exits. In the second form, one or more _f_i_l_e_s (plain files or direc- tories) are moved to the _d_i_r_e_c_t_o_r_y with their original file-names. _M_v 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 contin- ues. Any other reply prevents the move from occurring. -f stands for force. This option overrides any mode res- trictions or the -i switch. - means interpret all the following arguments to _m_v as file names. This allows file names starting with minus. SEE ALSO cp(1), ln(1) BUGS If _f_i_l_e_1 and _f_i_l_e_2 lie on different file systems, _m_v must copy the file and delete the original. In this case the owner name becomes that of the copying process and any link- ing relationship with other files is lost. Printed 11/26/99 April 29, 1985 1