How Do I Copy and Rename Linux Files?

$ cp kartook.conf.backup kartook.conf
$ cp stuff stuff.bak

Note: The cp command will overwrite files with the same name without warning. To be prompted before overwriting, use the -i flag, like so:

$ cp -i kartook.conf.backup foldername/kartook.conf
cp: over kartook.conf.backup foldername/kartook.conf (y/n)?

Renaming Files

Use the mv command to rename a file or move it to another directory, like so:

$ mv stuff junk
$ mv junk trashcan

The first example renames the file stuff as junk, and the second moves the file junk into a directory called trashcan.

Note: The mv command will wipe out files without warning. To be prompted before overwriting, use the -i flag, like so:

$ mv -i stuff junk
mv: overwrite junk (y/n)?

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