[SOLVED] Insert word between filename.

ddenial · 12-27-2019, 08:59 AM

Hello

How to insert a word in between a filename with spaces while cp or mv. For example in the following two examples, I do as follows:

Code:

# ls -l /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf*
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 24 18:30 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf

# cp /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf{,.backup}

# ls -l /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf*
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 24 18:30 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 27 20:12 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf.backup

Code:

# ls -l /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd*
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 24 18:30 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf

# cp /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd{,.PREFIX}.conf

# ls -l /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd*
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 24 18:30 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf
-rw-------. 1 root root 5113 Dec 27 20:15 /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.PREFIX.conf

Following this method, how to insert some chars between filename with spaces.

For example, I want to copy the file 'A Sample File.txt' as 'A Sample TEST File.txt'

I tried these, won't work.

Code:

# cp 'A Sample {,TEST} File.txt' 
cp: missing destination file operand after 'A Sample {,TEST} File.txt'

# cp 'A Sample \{,TEST\} File.txt' 
cp: missing destination file operand after 'A Sample \{,TEST\} File.txt'

Thanks

fatmac · 12-27-2019, 09:53 AM

Linux doesn't like spaces in file names, it's a separator.
Replacing the space with an underscore is the easiest way.
Your problem is mainly owing to a lack of destination file, mv & cp, from/to.

Code:

mv A_Sample_File.txt A_Sample_TEST_File.txt

boughtonp · 12-27-2019, 10:18 AM

The reason why what you tried is erroring is because brace expansion doesn't occur inside single-quoted strings, meaning you're only passing a single argument (which is why the messages complains about a lack of destination).

Remove the quotes and backslash escape the spaces and you will get the behaviour you're after -- however, in the example you posted, you have spaces eitherside of the braces - meaning your first file would be A(space)Sample(space)(space)File.txt (which presumably does not exist). You most likely want one of the escaped spaces inside the braces so it's only added when the prefix is.

pan64 · 12-27-2019, 10:56 AM

this is definitely not the way, but if you wish:

Code:

cp /tmp/{"A Sample File.txt","A Sample TEST File.txt"}

ddenial · 12-27-2019, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

The reason why what you tried is erroring is because brace expansion doesn't occur inside single-quoted strings, meaning you're only passing a single argument (which is why the messages complains about a lack of destination).

Remove the quotes and backslash escape the spaces and you will get the behaviour you're after -- however, in the example you posted, you have spaces eitherside of the braces - meaning your first file would be A(space)Sample(space)(space)File.txt (which presumably does not exist). You most likely want one of the escaped spaces inside the braces so it's only added when the prefix is.

Worked, Thanks.

Code:

$ cp A\ Sample{,\ TEST}\ File.txt

Thanks