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.

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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.

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

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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"

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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

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