4.3BSD - /usr/man/cat1/mv.0

MV(1)                                                                    MV(1)


NAME
       mv - move or rename files

SYNOPSIS
       mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file1 file2

       mv [ -i ] [ -f ] [ - ] file ... directory

DESCRIPTION
       Mv moves (changes the name of) file1 to file2.

       If file2 already exists, it is removed before file1 is moved.  If file2
       has a mode which forbids writing, mv prints the mode (see chmod(2)) and
       reads  the  standard input to obtain a line; if the line begins with y,
       the move takes place; if not, mv exits.

       In the second form, one or more files (plain files or directories)  are
       moved to the directory with their original file-names.

       Mv refuses to move a file onto itself.

       Options:

       -i     stands  for interactive mode. Whenever a move is to supercede an
              existing file, the user is prompted by the name of the file fol‐
              lowed  by  a  question  mark. If he answers with a line starting
              with ’y’, the move continues. Any other reply prevents the  move
              from occurring.

       -f     stands for force. This option overrides any mode restrictions or
              the -i switch.

       -      means interpret all the following arguments to mv as file names.
              This allows file names starting with minus.

SEE ALSO
       cp(1), ln(1)

BUGS
       If file1 and file2 lie on different file systems, mv must copy the file
       and delete the original.  In this case the owner name becomes  that  of
       the  copying  process  and any linking relationship with other files is
       lost.


4th Berkeley Distribution       April 29, 1985                           MV(1)