MV(1-BSD)           RISC/os Reference Manual            MV(1-BSD)



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 direc-
     tories) 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 contin-
          ues. Any other reply prevents the move from occurring.

     -f   stands for force. This option overrides any mode res-
          trictions 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 link-
     ing relationship with other files is lost.









                        Printed 11/19/92                   Page 1