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Al Bundy
Asked: 2014-11-12 10:52:30 +0800 CST

Concealing long paths in variables in Bash

  • 772

I have to move files from one folder to another but they reside in totally different paths. The destination path is so long and complicated that I am not able to remember it. Is there any way to go first to destination directory then store the path in some variable lets suppose X and then go to source directory and write a command like that: 

 mv * $X
bash

6 Answers

  1. Try: 

    cd /your/long/path
X=$(pwd)

    The command pwd prints the current directory; with the command X=$(pwd) you are storing the output of the command in the variable(1) X (no spaces around the =!)

    cd /the/other/dir/
mv * "$X"

    Now you are using the value of the variable X, using $X (read $ as "the value of"). The " that are around the $X are needed if the directory name contains spaces or other special characters.

    If you are unsure about what is in X, you can check its content with 

    echo "$X"

    (1) in the bash (and other) shells they are called parameters. See for example here for a simple tutorial, or here.

    • 7

  2. Assuming your shell is bash, you can use

    pushd /your/long/directory
popd
mv ./* "$OLDPWD"

    $OLDPWD is set by bash when you change directories.

    • 4

  3. Some time ago I've tried to create a more elaborate version of X=$(pwd) and mv * $X. The result was something that I call a "bashPortalGun". Here it is:

    https://github.com/tyukiand/bashPortalGun

    These scripts transform your shell prompt into something like this:

    me@host [orange -> there] here$

    and allow you to do everything you would expect from a "portal gun", applied to the context of the bash-shell:

    me@host ~$ cd /very/long/path
me@host /very/long/path$ pOrange # create orange portal
me@host [orange -> .portal.closed] /very/long/path$ cd /some/other/directory
me@host /some/other/directory$ pBlue # create blue portal
me@host [blue -> path] /some/other/directory$ mv file.txt [orange] # move stuff through portal

    In my experience, it makes the usage of mv and cd more comfortable, especially when working with multiple shells. Maybe you find it useful, maybe you just consider it cool to have a portal gun in your bash :)

    Motivated test subjects are welcome. Constructive feedback will be highly appreciated.

    • 2

  4. Suppose you are now in the directory with files you want to move, use

    cd target_dir
cd -

    to store your target_dir in $OLDPWD variable, and move back to your original directory.

    Now, you may use

    mv * "$OLDPWD"

    to move your files to your target directory.

    Notes:

    $PWD(Print Working Directory) always remebers current working directory.

    And $OLDPWD always remebers last working directory.

    By the way, use TAB key to auto-complete your path when typing your path.

    • 2

  5. It's perhaps easier to just create temporary symbolic links instead of variables.

    It's also not all that "un-handy" to use "tab" auto-completion/suggestions. But may depend on one's individual .bashrc, I'm not sure.

    • 0

  6. Why do not use variables for src and dest-Path? Here a little script:

    IFS='
'
SRC="/PATH/TO/SOURCE-PATH"
DST="/PATH/TO/DEST-PATH"
for i in `ls $SRC` 
do
mv $SRC/$i $DST/.
done

    the IFS is important, if you have filenames with spaces. Without IFS the for-loop do in some environments a line-break on this spaces. (SOURCE)

    • -1