How to rename multiple files in a directory leaving the extension in Linux

Question

I need to rename files in a directory taking out a string of characters that is different with each file but starts the same way. I know how to strip characters from the filename, but how do I preserve the extension? I know it's a variation of a common question but I can't find a answer that fits my exact need.

Redshirts_ep6_dSBHpCsvQ3BfQ7-NNIjXYO4pnHpNMvu7bfvURLF3BSzB_3YOOrBBoNnICTR-hg.mp3
-> Redshirts.mp3
PathsNotTaken_ep6_XWixFER4PJyeozVfcxT96UajpnVI7cRMRhAU4Aj9-rpeacnBleuGY9zCPDe0aQ.mp3
-> PathsNotTaken.mp3

So you want to remove the first `_` and everything after it, up until the first `.`? — that other guy, Sep 04 '18 at 21:02

JNevill · Accepted Answer · 2018-09-04T21:18:32.637

0

The linux command rename is super helpful here. It can use regex to perform the renaming.

This can probably rewritten a bit, but it appears do to the job here:

rename -n 's/(^[^_]*)_.*/$1.mp3/' *.mp3

Just remove that -n flag to run for for real. Leaving it on is just a test.

This regex says:

Characters at the start of the line ^ that don't contain an underscore [^_] repeated any number of times * are captured into a capture group (^[^_]*) if they are followed by an underscore and any number of any other characters _.*. These are then rewritten by using that first capture group $1 followed by .mp3

edited Sep 04 '18 at 21:18

answered Sep 04 '18 at 21:13

JNevill

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Why not simply `rename 's/_.*/.mp3/' *.mp3` ? – Mark Setchell Sep 04 '18 at 21:19
1

It's worth noting that this requires the Perl implementation of `rename` as found in Debian based distros. Other distros default to the util-linux `rename` tool where this does not work. – that other guy Sep 04 '18 at 21:21

How to rename multiple files in a directory leaving the extension in Linux

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