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I want to remove folder aaa and rename folder bbb to aaa. Both have subfolders in them.
Seems simple enough using:
rm -r aaa; mv bbb aaa
However, any subfolders in bbb disappear where I would expect them to stay in bbb (now aaa).
I can get around this using:
rm -r aaa; cp -r bbb aaa; rm -r bbb;
But this seems a long-winded way around it.
I have read about using -r with mv, but apparently this isn't possible (if it ever was).
My question is, how do I rename (move) a folder and keep its subfolders?
Neil Belch
Posted 2014-02-21T15:31:09.307
Reputation: 121
1You should remove directories with
rmdir(if they are empty). If they have subdirectories or files, userm -R(or if you are venturousrm -Rfto delete without asking). And:mv -ris not needed, becausemvjust renames (moves to a new name) a directory (or file) independent of its content. – erik – 2014-02-21T15:37:51.407Sorry I should have clarified that. I am using -r with rm to remove all subfolders. but when I used mv it does not keep the subfolders in bbb when it becomes aaa - I need these subfolders as well. – Neil Belch – 2014-02-21T15:56:03.297
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mv bbb aaais the proper command for that.mvdoesn't move anything in this case, it just renames the folder. Is it possible you made a mistake? – Dennis – 2014-02-21T15:59:13.1201I've double checked my code using mv (my first code example), and it has kept the subfolders - so I don't know what I managed to do the first time around. Sorry for wasting your time and thanks for the assistance. – Neil Belch – 2014-02-21T16:10:07.977
1You can execute
historyto check what went wrong the last time. – Dennis – 2014-02-21T16:19:30.167