MV(1)                                BSD                                 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, mv removes it before moving file1.  If file2 has
     a mode that forbids writing, mv prints the mode and reads the standard
     input to obtain a line.  If the line begins with y, mv executes the move;
     if not, mv exits.  See chmod(2) for more information about modes.

     In the second form, mv moves one or more files (plain files or
     directories) to the directory, with their original filenames.

     mv refuses to move a file onto itself.

OPTIONS
     -i        Operate in interactive mode. Whenever a move would supersede an
               existing file, mv prompts you with the filename followed by a
               question mark. If you answer with a line starting with y, mv
               continues.  Any other reply prevents the move from occurring.

     -f        Override any mode restrictions or the -i option (force).

     -         Interpret all the following arguments to mv as filenames.  This
               allows you to specify filenames starting with minus.

BUGS
     If file1 and file2 are 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 the file loses any linking relationship with other
     files.

SEE ALSO
     cp(1), ln(1)