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How to rename a file using patterns?

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# 1  
Old 05-02-2013
How to rename a file using patterns?
hi,

can somebody help me out if possible.

sone files are there in directory say

Code:
ppp_abc.txt
ppp_def.txt
ppp_ghi.txt

the above 3 files can be retrieved by this pattern

Code:
ppp_*.txt

i want to move these files to another directory and rename them as

Code:
qqq_abc.txt      (for ppp_abc.txt)
qqq_def.txt      (for ppp_def.txt) 
qqq_ghi.txt      (for ppp_ghi.txt)

for these i am using the pattern

Code:
qqq_*.txt

If i use this command

Code:
mv ppp_*.txt ../qqq_*.txt

it shows an error stating last argument should be a directory. (i think because i am using a * ).

is there any way to rename using patterns??
# 2  
Old 05-02-2013
Try
Code:
$ for file in ppp_*.txt
     do mv $file qqq_${file#*_}
     done

# 3  
Old 05-02-2013
Alternatively if your system supports the rename command you can use this:
Code:
rename 's/^ppp/qqq/' *.txt

# 4  
Old 05-02-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudiC
Try
Code:
$ for file in ppp_*.txt
     do mv $file qqq_${file#*_}
     done

can you please explain me the above code? especially the 2nd line.

Code:
mv $file qqq_${file#*_}

Code:
for file in ppp_*.txt

Is ppp_*.txt being treated similar to an array?

---------- Post updated at 02:55 PM ---------- Previous update was at 02:33 PM ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Subbeh
Alternatively if your system supports the rename command you can use this:
Code:
rename 's/^ppp/qqq/' *.txt

I tried the above command. its not showing any errors but there is no change in the file names. can you check if you are missing something?
# 5  
Old 05-02-2013
It works for me:
Code:
$ ls -1
ppp_abc.txt
ppp_def.txt
ppp_ghi.txt
$ rename 's/^ppp/qqq/' *.txt
$ ls -1
qqq_abc.txt
qqq_def.txt
qqq_ghi.txt

# 6  
Old 05-02-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by Subbeh
It works for me:
Code:
$ ls -1
ppp_abc.txt
ppp_def.txt
ppp_ghi.txt
$ rename 's/^ppp/qqq/' *.txt
$ ls -1
qqq_abc.txt
qqq_def.txt
qqq_ghi.txt

i got this

Code:
$ ls -1
ppp_abc.txt
ppp_def.txt
ppp_ghi.txt
$ rename 's/^ppp/qqq/' *.txt
$ ls -1
ppp_abc.txt
ppp_def.txt
ppp_ghi.txt


its not working for me.
# 7  
Old 05-04-2013
Quote:
Originally Posted by Little
can you please explain me the above code? especially the 2nd line.

Code:
mv $file qqq_${file#*_}

Code:
for file in ppp_*.txt

Is ppp_*.txt being treated similar to an array? . . .
cf man bash:
Quote:
for name [ [ in [ word ... ] ] ; ] do list ; done
The list of words following in is expanded, generating a list of items.
. . .
EXPANSION . . .
Parameter Expansion
${parameter#word}
${parameter##word}
Remove matching prefix pattern. . . .
You can follow the execution of the commands by setting the -x (xtrace) option.
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