how to automatically rename files

ckent · 11-19-2008, 05:52 PM

I'm looking for a way to automatically rename (and possibly move) files. I have a server that downloads my favourite tv shows and I would like the files that show up in the download folder to be renamed (based on set rules). Is this possible? Do I have to write a script or is there a program that will already do this?

billymayday · 11-19-2008, 06:04 PM

Yes it's possible, and I suspect you need to write a script.

What are the rules?

ckent · 11-19-2008, 06:39 PM

i want it to rename the file (which will look like Title.Title.S##E##.hdtv.eztv-lol.avi) to be Title Title ##x##.avi

billymayday · 11-19-2008, 06:41 PM

That's pretty simple. Are you using a script to download the files?

unihiekka · 11-20-2008, 02:10 AM

There is a bulk rename app that you can download through synaptic. Just look for bulk rename and you'll find it.

ckent · 11-20-2008, 11:18 PM

will that automatically rename the files as they show up though?

billymayday · 11-20-2008, 11:50 PM

Again, how are you downloading the files?

ckent · 11-21-2008, 11:32 PM

using miro to download the bittorrents from an rss feed

unihiekka · 11-22-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

will that automatically rename the files as they show up though?

It's not psychic, so it won't do that automatically! But if you say that you want to replace a certain string of (special) characters in lots of files with something else, then it works fine.

Or you could legally buy the DVDs of your favourite TV series and then watch them on you TV. No renaming there!

billymayday · 11-22-2008, 04:17 AM

For the renaming, I'd use a script along the lines of

Code:

cd /path/to/files
for filename in *"hdtv.eztv"* ;do
  newfile=$(echo $filename | sed -e 's/\(.*\)\.\(.*\)\.S\(..\)E\(..\)\.hdtv\.eztv\-lol\.avi/\1 \2 \3x\4\.avi/')
  echo  $filename "|" $newfile
#  mv $filename $newfile
done

(note the test mode of just echoing potential changes - comment that out and uncomment the "mv" if it works)

In terms of calling the script, you could run this regularly from a cron job (every 15 minutes for example), or if you are keen, there is a program called incron that is similar to cron, but rather than watching time, incron watches directories for changes. In other words, incron can trigger scripts when files are created in directories.

Cron wold be simpler, but let us know if you'd prefer to try incron.

ckent · 11-22-2008, 11:27 PM

thanks billymayday i will try that out. i think my idea was something like incron where any changes would trigger the event, but cron should work fine. i mean it's not like i need it to be instant (or even psychic).

have a great day and thanks again for your help!

billymayday · 11-22-2008, 11:43 PM

No probs - just remember to come back and tell us what worked, how it went, etc.

greatquizzard · 11-24-2008, 05:19 AM

Xfce's Thunar file manager includes a built-in rule-based file renaming utility. Particularly handy because it gives you a preview of what your renaming rule will do. You could either use regular expressions or do the renaming in stages (i.e., renaming the beginning part first, then the end, etc). You don't need to install complete Xfce, just Thunar.