rename bug from CMD

[Guest]

Hi,

Someone has noticed that the rename command (from cmd.exe) has changed
its behavior? before I used to rename files like this:

rename new*.txt test*.txt

and it will rename the files like this:

newname.txt to testname.txt

Now it seems to "ovewrite" the name to something like this:

from newname.txt to testame.txt

Note that the "n" has been overwritten. Someone know some workarround to
this? The help does not give much info...

I have hundreds of CMD and BAT files that I need to change...

Thanks,

Mariano.

 

[OKuma]

It does the same thing in XP.

The problem is that the original file name is 7 characters long, and the new
filename is 8 characters long.

Rename will truncate the beginning of the wildcard characters until it meets
the same amount of characters in the original filename.

If you did rename new*.txt tst*.txt, you would get the proper results of
your file being renamed to tstname.txt

OKuma

 

[Guest]

Hi Okuma,

Well, teh ren command has changed, with some service pack (I have tested
with SP1 and does this bad renaming thing), but I can assure you in prior
versions the behavior was different. I'm trying to determine when that has
changed... in Windows 2003 Server, does the same bad thing. I'm pasting you a
KB article that describes the correct functionallity I have used in the past:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/320167

You must read the notes at the bottom, quoted from there:

"The Rename function in Windows Explorer does not match the behavior of the
REN command you may use at a command prompt. For example, if you had files
that are named smitha.doc, smithb.doc, and smithc.doc, you could use the ren
smith*.doc smythe*.doc command. All file names automatically show the new
spelling, and are renamed smythea.doc, smytheb.doc, and smythec.doc."

So, maybe their is some registry value I can change to get the old behavior
back.

Thanks for your reply.

Mariano.

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Thu, 29 Mar 2007 05:20:04 -0700, Pucara

"The Rename function in Windows Explorer does not match the behavior of the
REN command you may use at a command prompt. For example, if you had files
that are named smitha.doc, smithb.doc, and smithc.doc, you could use the ren
smith*.doc smythe*.doc command. All file names automatically show the new
spelling, and are renamed smythea.doc, smytheb.doc, and smythec.doc."

If you do a lot of bulk logic-based renaming, you may want to try the
free CK Rename utility. I don't know if it can be automated (and thus
replace Cmd-based renaming) but it's great for cleaning up
freshly-ripped .MP3 names etc. and you can see a preview of its
effects before "pulling the trigger" to commit these changes.

See http://www.musicsucks.com/CKSoft/index.htm

--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -

IRC is just multiplayer notepad.

 

[Guest]

And when REN wildcards don't do what you want, the traditional way is to use
for loops - then one has substrings, etc.

Here is a thread where I explain how to use For for batch renaming.

http://groups.google.com.au/group/m...q=for+ren+candy&rnum=5&hl=en#b9aa1d13a09fae18

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all for the workarrounds... I was using one too, a vbs script. I
like the batch one. Anyway I wonder why someone has to change that behavior,
don't make too much sense to me.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Mariano.

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

And when REN wildcards don't do what you want, the traditional way is to use
for loops - then one has substrings, etc.

Argh, the dreaded For syntax... <twitch><gibber>
<is quitely leat away by attendant>

I've used For, but I always have to look up the syntax - I can never
remember it. It's pretty slippery and caveat-prone, so a fair bit of
testing is recommended before use on "real" things ;-)

Here is a thread where I explain how to use For for batch renaming.

http://groups.google.com.au/group/m...q=for+ren+candy&rnum=5&hl=en#b9aa1d13a09fae18

Thanks. What often ambushes one with these things (in the Cmd.exe age
of expanded batch file syntax) is that using parentheses to block a
number of statements as a single "statment" may not be supported.

-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

Tip Of The Day:
To disable the 'Tip of the Day' feature...