Hi.
What is the easiest way to rename a bunch of files? For example taking all files ending in ".php3" and rename them to end in ".php"

I could write a script to do this, but there is probably an easier way...

Thanks!

Are you sure that you want to rename all *.php3 files to *.php files? Take into consideration that you need to alter the files themselves as well then, include()s and require()s for example.

Because I am lazy, I usually make Apache pass the *.php3 files to PHP4 as well, which always worked fine for me.

HTH,
Lexx

Yes, I am aware of that. But due to to way my site is designed that is not a big issue, in fact in the few cases where links would break I can do a grep and fix that.

But the rename php was merely an example, I am interested in ways to mass rename files...

Thanks.

You need to write an script. Regards. Hugo.

If you assume the files are in the same directory, for example, the steps would be:
[list=1][*]Open the directory.[*]Read in the name of each file.[*]Copy the file to the new filename.[*]Repeat for all files of interest.[/list=1]

If the files are not in the same directory you could:
[list=1][*]Find the file(s) using the "find" command.[*]Copy the file to a new filename.[*]Repeat.[/list=1]

Do NOT move or delete files in the script or command line filter because if you do AND you make a mistake, you will have lost the files. Copy to new files names first..... after you are sure you are happy with the results, you may consider deleting the old files.

Error on side of caution. BTW, there are other 'cautious ways' to do this... including copying all the files and directory to a temporary directory and operating on the copies first

Releated to this so I'll add it here.....I've found it difficult to rename files to a truncation of the original filename....and you may find this too Thermopylae

i.e. if I have a bunch of files called random.temp.old and I want to rename then to random.temp (removing the .old)...then I get stuck.

If I use a simple for script.....

For the_file in *.temp.old
do
mv $the_file <<<<what can I use here>>>>
done

I want to use a shorter name - but don't want to have to get into the whole length of the filename and removing 'x' characters from the end of it...... is there a better way?

I can't think it without making that, either with "cut -c" command or with the awk command. I prefer awk with substr() and length() functions for the creation of the new_file_name.

It is becoming late for here. Greetings. Hugo.