Rename multiple files

L1nuxn00b703 · 04-10-2012, 11:28 PM

How would I rename a bunch of files using only the one command or simplest way

from:

file.1
file.2
file.3
....
file.10

To

file.1.old
file.2.old
file.3.old
...
file.10.old

for loop? mv?

suicidaleggroll · 04-10-2012, 11:35 PM

Code:

for i in file.*; do mv $i $i.old; done

Like that?

jschiwal · 04-10-2012, 11:37 PM

A for loop would be most straight forward.

for file in file.[[:digit:]]*; do mv $file ${file}.old; done

If you wanted "old." prepended, you could use "rename"
rename '' old. file.[[:digit:]]*

On some distros, the rename command uses a perl styled expression. So read the rename manpage before using it.

L1nuxn00b703 · 04-11-2012, 01:53 AM

ahhh that works... thanks guyz. Also, what is I wanted to change the files back:

file.1.old
file.2.old
file.3.old

To:

file.1
file.2
file.3

David the H. · 04-11-2012, 02:30 AM

For the record, if you had bothered to do a quick search or two of the forum or the net before posting, you likely would have found at least one of the many, many, many other discussions that have come up before on this topic.

Just take a look at the "similar threads" box at the bottom of this page for some examples.

PS: Don't forget to quote all of your variable expansions, everyone!