LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] Broken File Names

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NotAComputerGuy

08-20-2013 11:18 AM

Broken File Names

I've got a few file names that are broken.

Code:

ls

Shows this:

Code:

- - 200mph - Street - Race - ♛ - ✔ ~~★~SPECTACULR~TT~★~~ ✔ Isle_of_Man_TT-.mp4

But if I do the following or try do anything with that file I get this

Code:

ls *mp4

Code:

ls "- - 200mph - Street - Race - ♛ - ✔ ~~★~SPECTACULR~TT~★~~ ✔ Isle_of_Man_TT-.mp4"

I get this:

Code:

ls: invalid option -- ' '

Try `ls --help' for more information.

I'm grateful for any suggestions

ntubski

08-20-2013 11:23 AM

Use -- to separate options from file names:

Code:

ls -- *mp4

# or

ls -- "- - 200mph - Street - Race - ♛ - ✔ ~~★~SPECTACULR~TT~★~~ ✔  Isle_of_Man_TT-.mp4"

NotAComputerGuy

08-20-2013 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntubski (Post 5012573)

Use -- to separate options from file names:

Code:

ls -- *mp4

# or

ls -- "- - 200mph - Street - Race - ♛ - ✔ ~~★~SPECTACULR~TT~★~~ ✔  Isle_of_Man_TT-.mp4"

Thank you, it works. I didn't have any though options. I'm confused as to *why* it works?

ntubski

08-20-2013 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotAComputerGuy (Post 5012576)

I didn't have any though options. I'm confused as to *why* it works?

Your file started with a "-", anything starting with a "-" is an option. Another method is to name the file without a leading "-":

Code:

ls "./- - 200mph - Street - Race - ♛ - ✔ ~~★~SPECTACULR~TT~★~~ ✔ Isle_of_Man_TT-.mp4"

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