[SOLVED] Commands like cp or mv in OS X don't complete, just return a ">"

DrMatt · 11-26-2017, 10:14 AM

I searched for this question several ways, but couldn't find an answer, although I'm sure it must have been answered.

I'm running OS X 10.9.5 on a Macbook Pro, and it's been a long time since I used the terminal window. I'm trying it now, but the cp and mv commands return a ">" on the next line, not completing the command. Why does this happen? Could it have anything do with the fact that I'm working in a hidden directory and trying to copy the file to a non-hidden directory?

scasey · 11-26-2017, 10:37 AM

Without seeing the actual command, my best guess is that you're using a quote in the command somewhere and you've not supplied a closing quote.
Show us the actual command, please.

DrMatt · 11-26-2017, 12:41 PM

I believe you're right! The file name contains an apostrophe, which must have been interpreted as a quotation mark. When I enclosed the entire file name in double quotes, it worked.
Thanks, Sean!