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How to batch rename sequentially prefixed numbers to new sequential prefixes via terminal?

rated 0 times [ 2] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 498 / 1 Year ago, sat, february 25, 2023, 11:04:04

How can I batch rename, using the terminal, a set of files where multiple numbers share the same prefix so that all those prefixes are set to new ones?

For example:

011.foo.txt   -> 001.foo.txt

011.bar.psd   -> 001.bar.psd

011.baz.gif   -> 001.baz.gif

012.qux.js    -> 002.qux.js

012.corge.png -> 002.corge.png

...

020.thud.txt  -> 010.thud.txt

I'd like to use the rename command if possible:

rename [ -h|-m|-V ] [ -v ] [ -0 ] [ -n ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -e|-E perlexpr]*|perlexpr [ files ]

Really appreciate your help figuring this out, Thanks!

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antoccasiona

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answered 1 Year ago rialhirt · Accepted Answer

Using the perl rename as requested.

For what your question demonstrates:

rename -n 's/^(d+)/sprintf "%03d", $1-10/e' *

dry-run output:

rename(011.bar.psd, 001.bar.psd)

rename(011.baz.gif, 001.baz.gif)

rename(011.foo.txt, 001.foo.txt)

rename(012.corge.png, 002.corge.png)

rename(012.qux.js, 002.qux.js)

rename(020.thud.txt, 010.thud.txt)

For what the question title says, with actual sequential prefixes:

rename -n -E 'use vars q{$n}' -e 's/^(d+)/sprintf "%03d", ++$n/e' *

rename(011.bar.psd, 001.bar.psd)

rename(011.baz.gif, 002.baz.gif)

rename(011.foo.txt, 003.foo.txt)

rename(012.corge.png, 004.corge.png)

rename(012.qux.js, 005.qux.js)

rename(020.thud.txt, 006.thud.txt)

For the first one, if you don't want to hardcode the delta 10:

rename -n -E 'use vars q{$delta}' -e '

    s{^(d+)}{

        $delta = $1 - 1 unless defined $delta;

        sprintf "%03d", $1 - $delta

    }e

' *