Exercise 11: Moving a File (mv)

In this exercise you learn how to move a file from one location to another using the mv command.

Do This

Linux/macOS

$ cd temp
$ mv awesome.txt uncool.txt
$ ls
newplace    uncool.txt
$ mv newplace oldplace
$ ls
oldplace    uncool.txt
$ mv oldplace newplace
$ ls
newplace   uncool.txt
$

Windows

> cd temp
> mv awesome.txt uncool.txt
> ls


    Directory: C:\Users\zed\temp


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            newplace
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            something
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 iamcool.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 neat.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 thefourthfile.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 uncool.txt


> mv newplace oldplace
> ls


    Directory: C:\Users\zed\temp


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            oldplace
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            something
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 iamcool.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 neat.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 thefourthfile.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 uncool.txt


> mv oldplace newplace
> ls newplace


    Directory: C:\Users\zed\temp\newplace


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 awesome.txt


> ls


    Directory: C:\Users\zed\temp


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            newplace
d----        12/22/2011   4:52 PM            something
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 iamcool.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 neat.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 thefourthfile.txt
-a---        12/22/2011   4:49 PM          0 uncool.txt


>

You Learned This

Moving files or, rather, renaming them. It's easy: give the old name and the new name.

Do More

Move a file in the newplace directory to another directory, then move it back.

Buy The Python 3 Edition!

When you buy Learn Python 3 The Hard Way, you'll receive the Python 3 Edition PDF, special access to a paid HTML version, and 12 hours of 1080p video, one video for each exercise. All files are DRM free and you can download them to your computer for offline viewing. Digital Download Only! You do not get a physical book.

$29.99

Buy Digital Download From Zed

Try a a free sample of Learn Python the Hard Way right here, video lectures not included.

Other Buying Options

Buy on Amazon Buy from Barnes & Noble