Using rename to replace a string that begins with a -
 

Sometimes I want to use rename on a group of files to replace a string that begins with a -. No kind of quoting keeps rename from treating the - as an option instead of an argument.

Are you using the rename(1) command?

First off, something like the DASH should be prefixed with a delimiter, such as backslash. The rename command always throws me for a loop and I usually have to web search for an example.

First, I never use rename. I always do name changes either on the command line or from a script, and only after testing and verifying against a worthless copy.

Second, have you tried escaping that character? ie may work. The -- tells the program that nothing after that is a command line option.

CORRECTION: the "rename" on my systems do not use GNU standard. It is also not very intelligent in dealing with quotes and escapes. Try using GNU utilities and a script instead.

There is a man page for rename. It's an interesting tool, but limited in some respects.

@OP

You can use a for loop script to rename the files without the hyphen.

I created some files with a hyphen at the beginning and ran ls to verify.

Then I ran this simple for loop and ls to verify
As you can see, the hyphen is removed.

TIP: You can test the code on your files without it modifying the filename by adding echo Like so:

If the preview is what you want. Run the code again without the echo part.

Hope this helps.

this one here
should be
so no leading space is added to file name.

I stand corrected. Thanks :)

NP its just a learning process. ;)

Quoth Mr rtmistler: 'Are you using the rename(1) command?'
Yes.

Quoth Mr rtmistler: 'First off, something like the DASH should be
prefixed with a delimiter, such as backslash.'
I thought I communicated that I had tried that with my original message.

Quoth Mr wpeckham: 'I never use rename'
Congratulations.

Quoth Mr wpeckham: 'I always do name changes either on the command line or from a script'
When I can't get rename to work, that's what I do as well.

Quoth Mr wpeckham: 'have you tried escaping that character?'
Yes.

Quoth mr wpeckham: '-- tells the program that nothing after that is a command line option.'
I didn't know that, after all these years... That works. Thanks.

Very glad that you found a solution which you find suitable.

Please do not assume everyone on LQ is a male person.

The simpler solution is "./-xxxx"

I'm not sure I'd go with "simpler" - but it is also good to know. I'll never forget using '--' as a result of this discussion.

He didn't quote it, so it wouldn't make a difference. However, he should have quoted it, and if he had, it would have mattered, so it's a good suggestion. :)

using -- doesn't always work, it depends on the utility. It will USUALLY work with the GNU tools, but there are exceptions.

It isn't available in the UNIX utilities; for example
https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23823_01...5165/rm-1.html

doesn't show -- as valid. Compare to
http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man1/rm.1.html
where it is.

Using ./ is the normal prefix to handle that.

-- is also not always available - for example see
https://linux.die.net/man/1/file

better safe then sorry -- someone -- I think that guy over there says ;)