mv (move and rename) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the mv command do in Linux?

The mv command moves files or directories from one location to another. It can also rename files or directories by moving them to the same location with a new name.

beginner

How do you rename a file using mv?

To rename a file, use mv oldname newname. This moves the file oldname to the same directory but with the new name newname.

intermediate

What happens if you use mv to move a file to a directory that already has a file with the same name?

The existing file in the destination directory will be overwritten without warning, replacing it with the moved file.

beginner

How can you move multiple files to a directory using mv?

You list all the files you want to move followed by the destination directory. For example: mv file1.txt file2.txt /path/to/destination/.

intermediate

What option can you use with mv to ask before overwriting files?

Use the -i option (interactive). It prompts you to confirm before overwriting any existing files.

What does the command mv file1.txt file2.txt do if both files are in the same directory?

A Copies file1.txt to file2.txt

B Renames file1.txt to file2.txt

C Deletes file2.txt

D Moves file2.txt to file1.txt

The mv command renames file1.txt to file2.txt by moving it to the same directory with a new name.

Which option with mv asks for confirmation before overwriting a file?

A -v

B -f

C -i

D -r

The -i option makes mv interactive, asking before overwriting files.

What happens if you move a file to a directory where a file with the same name exists and you do not use any options?

A The move fails

B The file is renamed automatically

C The command asks for confirmation

D The existing file is overwritten without warning

By default, mv overwrites existing files without asking.

How do you move multiple files to a directory?

A mv file1 file2 /directory

B mv /directory/file1 /directory/file2

C mv file1 /directory file2

D mv /directory file1 file2

You list the files first, then the destination directory.

Which command renames a directory named 'oldfolder' to 'newfolder'?

A mv oldfolder newfolder

B mv newfolder oldfolder

C rename oldfolder newfolder

D cp oldfolder newfolder

Using mv with the old and new directory names renames the directory.

Explain how to rename a file and move a file to a different directory using the mv command.

Think about moving a file within the same folder vs moving it to another folder.

Describe what happens when you move a file to a directory where a file with the same name already exists. How can you avoid accidental overwrites?

Consider safety options in commands.

Practice

1. What does the mv command do in Linux?

easy

A. Copies files and folders

B. Lists files and folders

C. Deletes files and folders

D. Moves or renames files and folders

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of mv

   The mv command is used to move files or folders from one location to another or to rename them.

2. Step 2: Compare with other commands

   Unlike cp which copies, or rm which deletes, mv changes the location or name without duplicating.

3. Final Answer:

   Moves or renames files and folders -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   mv = move or rename [OK]

Hint: Remember: mv = move or rename files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing mv with cp (copy)
• Thinking mv deletes files
• Assuming mv lists files

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to rename a file old.txt to new.txt using mv?

easy

A. mv old.txt new.txt

B. mv new.txt old.txt

C. mv -r old.txt new.txt

D. mv old.txt -n new.txt

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand basic mv syntax

   The syntax is mv source destination. To rename, source is old name, destination is new name.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   mv old.txt new.txt correctly uses mv old.txt new.txt. mv new.txt old.txt reverses source and destination. Options A and D use invalid options.

3. Final Answer:

   mv old.txt new.txt -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   mv source destination = rename [OK]

Hint: Syntax: mv oldname newname to rename [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping source and destination
• Using invalid options like -r or -n
• Confusing mv with cp syntax

3. Given the commands:
mkdir testdir
touch file1.txt
mv file1.txt testdir/
What will be the result?

medium

A. Error: testdir does not exist

B. file1.txt is moved inside testdir folder

C. A new file named testdir is created

D. file1.txt is renamed to testdir

Solution

1. Step 1: Create directory and file

   mkdir testdir creates a folder named testdir. touch file1.txt creates an empty file named file1.txt.

2. Step 2: Move file into directory

   mv file1.txt testdir/ moves file1.txt into the folder testdir, keeping the same name.

3. Final Answer:

   file1.txt is moved inside testdir folder -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   mv file to folder = move inside folder [OK]

Hint: mv file folder/ moves file inside folder [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking mv renames file to folder name
• Assuming mv creates new files
• Believing error occurs if folder exists

4. What is wrong with this command if you want to rename file.txt to document.txt but get an error?
mv file.txt document.txt/

medium

A. Trailing slash after document.txt treats it as a directory

B. Missing -r option to rename files

C. Source file does not exist

D. mv cannot rename files

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the command

   The command has document.txt/ with a trailing slash, which means it expects a directory named document.txt.

2. Step 2: Understand error cause

   If document.txt is not a directory, mv will error because it cannot move file.txt into a non-existent directory.

3. Final Answer:

   Trailing slash after document.txt treats it as a directory -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Trailing slash means directory, causes error if not directory [OK]

Hint: No slash after filename when renaming [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding slash after new filename
• Thinking -r is needed to rename
• Assuming mv cannot rename files

5. You want to move all .txt files from folder1 to folder2 but avoid overwriting existing files in folder2. Which command should you use?

hard

A. mv -f folder1/*.txt folder2/

B. mv folder1/*.txt folder2/

C. mv -i folder1/*.txt folder2/

D. mv -r folder1/*.txt folder2/

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the goal

   You want to move all .txt files but be prompted before overwriting existing files in folder2.

2. Step 2: Choose correct option

   The -i option asks for confirmation before overwriting. mv -i folder1/*.txt folder2/ uses mv -i correctly. mv folder1/*.txt folder2/ moves without prompt. mv -f folder1/*.txt folder2/ forces overwrite. mv -r folder1/*.txt folder2/ is invalid for files.

3. Final Answer:

   mv -i folder1/*.txt folder2/ -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use -i to prompt before overwrite [OK]

Hint: Use mv -i to confirm before overwrite [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using -f which forces overwrite
• Forgetting -i and overwriting silently
• Using -r which is for directories