how to change file name in linux,How to Change File Name in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Change File Name in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing the name of a file in Linux can be a simple task, but it’s important to understand the different methods available to ensure you choose the one that best suits your needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Using the mv Command

The most common and straightforward way to change a file name in Linux is by using the `mv` command. This command is used to move files and directories, but it can also be used to rename files. Here’s how to do it:

mv old_filename new_filename

Replace `old_filename` with the current name of your file and `new_filename` with the desired new name. For example, if you have a file named “document.txt” and you want to rename it to “report.txt”, you would use the following command:

mv document.txt report.txt

This command will rename the file in the same directory. If you want to move the file to a different directory while renaming it, you can specify the new directory path:

mv document.txt /path/to/new/directory/report.txt

Using the cp and rm Commands

Another method to rename a file in Linux is by using the `cp` and `rm` commands. This method involves creating a new file with the desired name and then deleting the old file. Here’s how to do it:

Use the `cp` command to copy the old file to a new location with the desired name:

cp old_filename new_filename

Use the `rm` command to delete the old file:

rm old_filename

This method is useful if you want to keep a backup of the original file before renaming it.

Using the touch Command

The `touch` command is primarily used to create new files, but it can also be used to rename files by creating a new file with the desired name and then deleting the old file. Here’s how to do it:

Use the `touch` command to create a new file with the desired name:

touch new_filename

Use the `rm` command to delete the old file:

rm old_filename

This method is similar to the `cp` and `rm` method, but it’s more straightforward since you don’t need to manually copy the file first.

Using the rename Command

The `rename` command is a more advanced method for renaming multiple files at once. It’s available in some Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu. Here’s how to use it:

rename 's/old_filename/new_filename/'

Replace `old_filename` with the current name of your file and `new_filename` with the desired new name. The asterisk () is a wildcard that matches all files in the current directory. For example, to rename all files ending with “.txt” to “.doc”, you would use the following command:

rename 's/.txt/.doc/'

Using the GUI File Manager

For users who prefer a graphical user interface (GUI), most Linux distributions come with a file manager that allows you to rename files easily. Here’s how to do it:

Open the file manager and navigate to the directory containing the file you want to rename.
Right-click on the file and select “Rename” or press F2.
Enter the new name for the file and press Enter.

This method is the most user-friendly and is recommended for beginners.

Using the Bash Shell

For advanced users, you can use the Bash shell to rename files using various scripting techniques. Here’s an example of a simple Bash script that renames all files in a directory:

for file in ; do mv "$file" "${file%.}_new.${file.}"; done

This script uses a loop to iterate through all files in the current directory and renames them by appending “_new” to the file name before the extension. For example, “document.txt” would be renamed to “document_new.txt”.