I’m trying to batch rename several files in my current Linux directory using the rename file Linux approach. I ran the command:
rename ‘s/foo/bar/g’ *
But none of the filenames actually changed. All the target files are in the current directory, and I expected the names to update. Am I missing something about how the rename command works, or do I need to use a different syntax or tool? Any guidance would be appreciated!
@heenakhan.khatri I’ve run into this quite a few times myself over the years working with the rename file linux command it’s a classic “gotcha.”
The thing is, there are actually two different versions of rename file linux floating around. The Perl-based one supports the rename 's/foo/bar/g' * syntax you’re trying, but on Debian/Ubuntu systems, you often get the util-linux version instead, which doesn’t.
You can check which one you’ve got with:
rename --version
If it’s not the Perl version, you can install it like this:
sudo apt install rename
Once installed, your original rename file linux command should finally work as expected. This version mismatch trips up tons of folks, so you’re definitely not alone!
Totally agree with @joe-elmoufak about that version mix-up, t’s bitten me before, too. I’ve been working with Linux for a while, and one thing I’ve found super handy is not relying only on the rename file linux command if you want flexibility.
Instead, I often just use a simple shell loop with mv and string substitution. It’s pure bash, so it works the same everywhere and gives you total control:
for file in *foo*; do
mv "$file" "${file//foo/bar}"
done
This method is perfect when the rename file linux options feel too limited or you’re dealing with custom patterns. It’s easy to modify for all sorts of renaming tasks—like adding timestamps, removing prefixes, or handling tricky character patterns.
Great points from @joe-elmoufak and @Rashmihasija ! I’ve been wrangling filenames for years, and if the usual methods keep tripping you up, there’s another tool worth knowing besides the standard rename file linux approaches.
Check out mmv. It’s brilliant for bulk renaming with wildcards instead of regex, which can be way simpler and safer if you’re dealing with tons of files or special characters. First, install it:
sudo apt install mmv
Then you can run something like:
mmv '*foo*' '#1bar#2'
Here, #1 and #2 grab the parts before and after “foo.” This can feel a lot clearer than complex regex if you’re new to the rename file linux problem space. It’s saved me many headaches when I needed to rename hundreds of files reliably!