Terminal basics and help with the "mv" command

[Eetrey]

For the life of me I cannot move a file in a terminal. I have seen every example online and when I try my own version I get this response:

usage: mv [-f | -i | -n] [-v] source target
mv [-f | -i | -n] [-v] source ... directory

I have tried "man mv" but the manual was not much help can anyone give me some suggestions. I want to be able to manipulate my files using a terminal. Thanks in advance.

 

[calderone]

Can you post what you have tried?

 

[Eetrey]

sure this is what i gather should work:


mv missed notes 1.pdf /Users/edenpreciado/documents/cee163/missed notes 1.pdf

 

[calderone]

You have to escape the spaces. And Documents needs to be capitalized, the paths are case sensitive.

So that would actually be:

mv missed\ notes\ 1.pdf /Users/edenpreciado/Documents/cee163/missed\ notes\ 1.pdf

Also, to make things easier, take advantage of tab completion. For example assuming missed notes was the only file in the current directory that began with mis, typing

mv mis

And and then typing tab, terminal would autocomplete the path for you. You could then do this throughout the target path as well.

So, /U tab, e tab, Doc tab, etc.

 

[Eetrey]

nicely done kind sir. Seriously though, thank you very much. I want to become somewhat familiar with the terminal and this really helps.

 

[calderone]

See my edit on tabbed completion.

 

[samtimmy]

i have an error when trying to move a file and i want you guys to kindly assist in solving it.
this is what i get
usage: mv [-f | -i | -n] [-v] source target

mv [-f | -i | -n] [-v] source ... directory
this is the command i typed in

sudo mv composer.phar /usr/local/bin folder/composer

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

folder/composer is the problem, that's not actually a file path. What's the path to the folder you want it in?