rename utility reports error, running from Mobaxterm

sysmicuser · 04-25-2019, 08:10 PM

Hey Guys,

Performing an exercise to rename all files/directories where there is a space in the file name or directory.

Here is the snippet:

Code:

find -name "* *" -type d | rename 's/ /_/g'
find -name "* *" -type f | rename 's/ /_/g'

And there are files are directories with spaces, please refer to the below:

Code:

find -name "* *" -type d
./online/online/Maven Jenkins
./Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps (2)
./Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps (2)/Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps
./Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps (2)/Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps/0 - Introduction
./Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps (2)/Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps/1 - 1. Azure Boards
./Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps (2)/Lynda.com - Learning Azure DevOps/2 - 2. Azure Repos

find -name "* *" -type f | head -5
./'Hacking With Experts.pdf'.pdf
./-Linux Command.pdf
./1 - Creating a Web Server Deployment - Outline.zip
./2000+ udemy coupons 100% off Latest.docx
./2019_0114-STG_Slide-Deck (2).pdf

When I run the find command piped with rename it reports the error below:

Code:

+ find -name '* *' -type d
+ rename 's/ /_/g'
rename: not enough arguments

Usage:
 rename [options] <expression> <replacement> <file>...

Options:
 -v, --verbose    explain what is being done
 -s, --symlink    act on the target of symlinks

 -h, --help     display this help and exit
 -V, --version  output version information and exit

For more details see rename(1).
+ find -name '* *' -type f
+ rename 's/ /_/g'
rename: not enough arguments

What is the issue and how to fix it?

scasey · 04-25-2019, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sysmicuser

What is the issue and how to fix it?

Code:

Usage:
 rename [options] <expression> <replacement> <file>...

...so rename followed by options followed by an expression, a replacement, and a filename pattern.
Your command has only the expression.

Use the --verbose option to see what's going on.
Have you read man 1 rename as suggested?
Also review man find, as you can exec the command within find...I don't think the pipe is doing what you want it to. Something like:

Code:

find -name "* *" -type f -exec ls -l ##to test
find -name "* *" -type f -exec rename 's/ /_/g' {} \;  #but I'm not sure of my syntax

Give how unforgiving rename is when it works, search for more information on find and -exec

sysmicuser · 04-25-2019, 11:31 PM

Thanks Sean, will try out and see how it goes. Thank you again.

berndbausch · 04-26-2019, 12:26 AM

I believe that there are several versions of rename with different options, depending on the distro. If in doubt, use the man page and/or rename --help.