How to Move a Non Empty Directory in Linux
Moving a non-empty directory in Linux can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the command-line interface. However, with the right steps and commands, you can easily transfer a directory and all its contents to a new location. In this article, we will guide you through the process of moving a non-empty directory in Linux.
Step 1: Navigate to the Source Directory
Before you can move the directory, you need to navigate to its current location using the `cd` command. Open your terminal and type the following command, replacing `/path/to/source` with the actual path to the directory you want to move:
“`
cd /path/to/source
“`
Step 2: Use the `mv` Command
Now that you’re in the source directory, you can use the `mv` command to move the directory to a new location. The basic syntax for the `mv` command is as follows:
“`
mv source_directory destination_directory
“`
Replace `source_directory` with the name of the directory you want to move, and `destination_directory` with the path to the new location where you want to move the directory. For example, if you want to move a directory named `old_dir` to `/path/to/new/location`, you would type:
“`
mv old_dir /path/to/new/location
“`
Step 3: Confirm the Move
After you’ve entered the `mv` command, the directory and its contents will be moved to the new location. To confirm that the move was successful, you can navigate to the destination directory and check if the `old_dir` is present.
“`
cd /path/to/new/location
ls
“`
The `ls` command will list all the files and directories in the current directory. If you see `old_dir` in the list, then the move was successful.
Step 4: Handle Permissions and Ownership
When moving a directory, it’s important to consider the permissions and ownership of the files and directories within it. By default, the `mv` command preserves the permissions and ownership of the files and directories. However, if you need to change the permissions or ownership after the move, you can use the `chown` and `chmod` commands.
To change the ownership of the `old_dir` and its contents to a new user, type:
“`
chown new_user:old_group /path/to/new/location/old_dir
“`
Replace `new_user` with the username and `old_group` with the group name you want to assign to the directory.
To change the permissions of the `old_dir` and its contents, use the `chmod` command:
“`
chmod permissions /path/to/new/location/old_dir
“`
Replace `permissions` with the desired permissions, such as `755` for read, write, and execute permissions for the owner, and read and execute permissions for the group and others.
Conclusion
Moving a non-empty directory in Linux is a straightforward process, as long as you follow the correct steps. By using the `mv` command and considering permissions and ownership, you can successfully transfer a directory and its contents to a new location. Keep in mind that the process may vary slightly depending on your Linux distribution and the specific requirements of your task.
