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 followed 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 flag 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.

     FILES
          /bin/mv

     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.





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