Want to change how pasted files are named "(copy)," "(another copy)," "(3rd copy)"

L a r r y · 08-20-2013, 07:02 AM

I copy a file and paste it into the same directory for making a backup of the file using the X windows GUI in Ubuntu 12.04..

"test.txt" will be copied and pasted, becomes "test(copy).txt" and if pasted again is named "test{another copy).txt."

I would prefer a numbering scheme as happens with "(3rd copy)" and beyond in place pf "another copy."

Actually to stay in alphabetical order, one might need
test.txt <-- original file
test(copy).txt
test(copy2).txt
test(copy3).txt

There is a way to alter this behavior, I'm sure, this being Linux. Has anyone any ideas?

Thanks!

amani · 08-24-2013, 10:34 AM

RTFM for cp

you want numbered backups when source and dest are same

michaelk · 08-24-2013, 03:03 PM

It appears that you are running Gnome and Nautilus as the file manager. I do not know if you can change the default behaviour but it is possible to create your own scripts and add them to the right click menu.

I quick search did not find an existing script but that does not mean one does not exist.

http://g-scripts.sourceforge.net/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NautilusScriptsHowto
http://gnome-look.org/?xsection=home

Firerat · 08-24-2013, 03:39 PM

had a very quick look at the source for Nautilus

seems the "another copy" is in the po files

( root of source )

Code:

grep "another copy" po/* -H

gets you..

Code:

po/crh.po:msgid " (another copy)"
po/crh.po:msgid "%s (another copy)%s"
po/cs.po:msgid " (another copy)"
po/cs.po:msgid "%s (another copy)%s"
po/cy.po:msgid " (another copy)"
po/cy.po:msgid "%s (another copy)%s"
..... and so on

Untested..

Code:

sed -i 's/another copy)%s/2nd copy)%s/' po/*.po

and compile, should get you what you want..

ultimately I think michaelk's suggestion of looking into the scripts side might be less work in the long run

alternative is to use kde's dolphin, its default behaviour is simple 'numbering' when hitting "suggest new name"