rename - renames multiple files using perl expressions
rename [-bcfilnv] [-B prefix] [-S suffix] [-V method] [-Y prefix] [-z suffix] [--backup] [--copy] [--basename-prefix=prefix] [--dry-run] [--force] [--help] [--no-stdin] [--interactive] [--just-print] [--link-only] [--prefix=prefix] [--suffix=suffix] [--verbose] [--version-control=method] [--version] perlexpr [files]...
rename renames the filenames supplied according to the rule specified as the first argument. The argument is a Perl expression which is expected to modify the $_ string for at least some of the filenames specified. If a given filename is not modified by the expression, it will not be renamed. If no filenames are given on the command line, filenames will be read via standard input (unless --no-stdin is supplied on the command line).
If a destination file is unwritable, the standard input is a tty, and the -f or --force option is not given, rename prompts the user for whether to overwrite the file. If the response does not begin with `y' or `Y', the file is skipped.
Make backup files. That is, when about to overwrite a file, rename the original instead of removing it. See the -V or --version-control option fo details about how backup file names are determined.
Use the simple method to determine backup file names (see the -V method or --version-control=method option), and prepend prefix to a file name when generating its backup file name.
Copy files to the new names instead of renaming them. This will keep the original files.
Remove existing destination files and never prompt the user.
Print a summary of options and exit.
Disable reading of filenames from STDIN. Us it when your shell has nullglob enabled to make sure rename doesn't wait for input.
Prompt whether to overwrite each destination file that already exists. If the response does not begin with `y' or `Y', the file is skipped.
Link files to the new names instead of renaming them. This will keep the original files.
Do everything but the actual renaming, instead just print the name of each file that would be renamed. When used together with --verbose, also print names of backups (which may or may not be correct depending on previous renaming).
Print the name of each file before renaming it.
Use method to determine backup file names. The method can also be given by the RENAME_VERSION_CONTROL (or if that's not set, the VERSION_CONTROL) environment variable, which is overridden by this option. This option does not affect whether backup files are made; it affects only the name of any backup files that are made.
The value of method is like the GNU Emacs `version-control' variable; rename also recognize synonyms that are more descriptive. The valid values are (unique abbreviations are accepted):
Make numbered backups of files that already have them, otherwise simple backups. This is the default.
Make numbered backups. The numbered backup file name for F is F.~N~ where N is the version number.
Make simple backups. The -B or --prefix, -Y or --basename-prefix, and -z or --suffix options specify the simple backup file name. If none of these options are given, then a simple backup suffix is used, either the value of SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX environment variable if set, or ~ otherwise.
Print version information on standard output then exit successfully.
Use the simple method to determine backup file names (see the -V method or --version-control=method option), and prefix prefix to the basename of a file name when generating its backup file name. For example, with -Y .del/ the simple backup file name for a/b/foo is a/b/.del/foo.
Use the simple method to determine backup file names (see the -V method or --version-control=method option), and append suffix to a file name when generating its backup file name.
Generate shell code for parameter completion for either bash or zsh.
To rename all files matching *.bak to strip the extension, you might say
rename 's/\e.bak$//' *.bak
To translate uppercase names to lower, you'd use
rename 'y/A-Z/a-z/' *
More examples:
rename 's/\.flip$/.flop/' * # rename *.flip to *.flop rename s/flip/flop/ * # rename *flip* to *flop* rename 's/^s\.(.*)/$1.X/' * # switch sccs filenames around rename 's/$/.orig/' */*.[ch] # add .orig to source files in */ rename 'y/A-Z/a-z/' * # lowercase all filenames in . rename 'y/A-Z/a-z/ if -B' * # same, but just binaries! or even rename chop *~ # restore all ~ backup files
Two environment variables are used, SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX and VERSION_CONTROL. See "OPTIONS".
mv(1) and perl(1)
If you give an invalid Perl expression you'll get a syntax error.
Peder Stray <pederst@cpan.org>, original script from Larry Wall.
Report any issues at https://github.com/pstray/rename/issues.
To install rename, copy and paste the appropriate command in to your terminal.
cpanm
cpanm rename
CPAN shell
perl -MCPAN -e shell install rename
For more information on module installation, please visit the detailed CPAN module installation guide.