LDP/LDP/guide/docbook/abs-guide/rn.sh

#! /bin/bash
# rn.sh

# Very simpleminded filename "rename" utility (based on "lowercase.sh").
#
#  The "ren" utility, by Vladimir Lanin (lanin@csd2.nyu.edu),
#+ does a much better job of this.


ARGS=2
E_BADARGS=85
ONE=1                     # For getting singular/plural right (see below).

if [ $# -ne "$ARGS" ]
then
  echo "Usage: `basename $0` old-pattern new-pattern"
  # As in "rn gif jpg", which renames all gif files in working directory to jpg.
  exit $E_BADARGS
fi

number=0                  # Keeps track of how many files actually renamed.


for filename in *$1*      #Traverse all matching files in directory.
do
   if [ -f "$filename" ]  # If finds match...
   then
     fname=`basename $filename`            # Strip off path.
     n=`echo $fname | sed -e "s/$1/$2/"`   # Substitute new for old in filename.
     mv $fname $n                          # Rename.
     let "number += 1"
   fi
done   

if [ "$number" -eq "$ONE" ]                # For correct grammar.
then
 echo "$number file renamed."
else 
 echo "$number files renamed."
fi 

exit $?


# Exercises:
# ---------
# What types of files will this not work on?
# How can this be fixed?