mren(1) — Commands
NAME
mren − mtools utility to rename an existing DOS file
SYNOPSIS
mren [−v] sourcefile targetfile
OPTIONS
−vSpecifies verbose mode. The new file name is displayed if the name supplied is invalid.
DESCRIPTION
The mren command renames an existing file on a DOS file system. You can also use the mren command to rename directories. Reasonable care is taken to create a valid DOS file name. If an invalid DOS targetname is specified, the mren command changes the name and, if the −v option is specified, prompts the user to accept or reject the new name.
The path component of the targetfile argument, if supplied, is ignored. That is, you cannot use the mren command to move a file from one subdirectory to another.
DOS subdirectory names that contain the ’/’ or ’\’ separator are supported. If you use the ’\’ separator or wildcards, you must enclose file names in quotes to protect them from the shell.
The mcd command can be used to establish the device and the current working directory (relative to DOS), otherwise the default is A:\.
Not all UNIX file names are supported in the DOS world. The mren command may have to change UNIX names to fit the DOS file name conventions. The following table shows some examples of file name conversions:
| UNIX name | DOS name | Reason for the change |
| thisisatest | THISISAT | file name too long |
| file.stuff | FILE.STU | extension too long |
| prn.txt | XRN.TXT | PRN is a device name |
| .abc | X.ABC | null file name |
| hot+cold | HOTXCOLD | illegal character |
RESTRICTIONS
You cannot use the mren command to move a file from one subdirectory to another.
EXIT STATUS
The following exit values are returned:
0Success.
1Failure.
ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
The following environment variables affect the execution of mren:
MCWD
If set, this variable names the file that contains the name of the current mtools working directory as established by the mcd command. If this variable is not set, the file $HOME/.mcwd is used.
FILES
$HOME/.mcwd
Contains the name of the current mtools working directory as established by the mcd command. If this file does not exist, the default mtools working directory is A:\.
/usr/bin/mtools/mren
Executable file