mv Command in Linux/Unix with Examples

Linux mv command is used to move existing file or directory from one location to another. It is also used to rename a file or directory. If you want to rename a single directory or file then 'mv' option will be better to use.

Move a File

While moving a file the inode number of both the files will remain the same.

In the above example, we have moved file 'docc' into 'document'. But inode number of both the files remains the same.

Move a Directory

Directories can be moved in the same way as the files. In this case also inode number will remain the same.

mv Option

Option	Function
mv -i	Asks for permission to over write.
mv *	Move multiple files to a specific directory.
mv --suffix	Used to take backup before over writing.
mv -u	Only move those files that doesn't exist.