How do I remove a character from a string in a Unix shell script?

Question

I have several files that are named like this: file - name.txt

How do I remove the " - " using a bash script in UNIX from all the files?

Eran Ben-Natan · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 05:43:06Z

3

If I understand correctly, try rename ' - ' '' *

answered Oct 8, 2013 at 5:43

Eran Ben-Natan

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kojiro Over a year ago

It exists in some distros and there are at least two inconsistent implementations. It is not a POSIX tool.

kojiro · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 03:16:21Z

2

Use parameter expansion to remove the part of the string you want to be rid of. Make sure to use double-quotes to prevent mv from misinterpreting input.

for i in ./*' - '*; do
    mv "$i" "${i// - }"
done

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 3:16

kojiro

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2 Comments

Generalkidd Over a year ago

OK thanks! That worked! Also, using that same method, how would I be able to store the part of the filename before the " - " in a separate string?

kojiro Over a year ago

@Generalkidd separateString="${i%% - *}"

elimirks · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 03:26:03Z

1

Sed it up!

# Iterate each file in the current directory.
for i in *; do
  # Move the file to the new filename, replacing ' - ' with '_'
  mv "$i" `echo $i | sed 's/ - /_/g'`
done

edited Oct 7, 2013 at 3:26

answered Oct 7, 2013 at 3:09

elimirks

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1 Comment

elimirks Over a year ago

Doh. I am used to zsh - fixed.

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