copy many files in to many directories

Ave3 · 02-12-2015, 07:55 AM

Hello every one,

I need to copy many files in to many folders in once, for example I have files result_1 result_2 result_3 and want to copy them to directories 1 2 3 respectively, how can I do that, I have tried cp, echo and find syntax but did not work out.
Any idea?

veerain · 02-12-2015, 08:09 AM

Just three files to just three directories. If you give big sample data, it might be of help.

veerain · 02-12-2015, 08:12 AM

Anyway for these 3 files and dirs here it is:

Code:

for id in {1..3}; do
echo result_${id}
cp result_"${id}" "${id}"
done

Keith Hedger · 02-12-2015, 08:12 AM

Code:

while read
	do
		filename=$(basename "$REPLY")
		folder=${REPLY#?*_}
		mkdir $folder
		mv $REPLY  $folder
	done < <(find -iname "*_*")

Simple script will do it
I will leave error checking and file globing white space etc for you to do yourself.

Ave3 · 02-12-2015, 09:01 AM

This code worked very well,

for id in {1..3}; do
echo result_${id}
cp result_"${id}" "${id}"
done

Thank you, but I need to change the name of the files after I moved them to the directories from result_# to just result, is it possible with this code to do that?
They are over 50 files and dirs.

Keith Hedger · 02-12-2015, 09:21 AM

Yes just rename them in the mv command see the man page and also have a look at the advanced bash scripting guide, renaming files as you move/copy them is pretty basic we aint going to do all the work for you, you have enogh info here to complete the script, if you get stuck on a particular bit then say so and we will point you in the right direction, what won't happen is getting a complete script written for you you have to do some of theis yourself.

Ave3 · 02-13-2015, 02:35 AM

I definitely know about renaming files, mv, cp and rename command, what I needed to rename all the files result_# to result in once, it is a big process what I do if I rename it individually that means I have to rename 5000 (50 x 100)times the files, I have tried find syntax which I find very strong but it didn't work with this case.
I surely try every thing and when things are not working out then I come to this forum.

Keith Hedger · 02-13-2015, 05:18 AM

If you don't want to rename them as you go ( 5000 file moves is not dificult in BASH ), mv them athen use find with the -exec switch and rename to rename the files, but I would do it all from the mv in the script.