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Wildcards

Any time a filename is used, you can replace parts of the filename or all of it with wildcards (also called shell patterns). Any sensible combination you can think of can be used. You can also use wildcards to specify directories.

Warning:

When copying, moving, or removing files with wildcards, it's often wise to include the -i (interactive) option, to avoid mishaps.

Consider the following directory listing:

cartoon.png  ex10.html  ex1.html  ex2.html  ex3.html  index.html  logo.png

rm e*
Would remove: ex10.html  ex1.html  ex2.html  ex3.html

ls *.png
Would list: cartoon.png  logo.png

rm ex?.html
Would remove: ex1.html  ex2.html  ex3.html (but not ex10.html)

rm ex??.html
Would remove: ex10.html

rm ex[13]*
Would remove: ex10.html  ex1.html  ex3.html

ls ex[1-3].html
Would list: ex1.html  ex2.html  ex3.html

mv ex[!1]* ..
Would move up one directory: ex2.html  ex3.html

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