How can I copy files with names containing spaces and UNICODE, when using a shell script?

Posted by LOlliffe on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by LOlliffe
Published on 2010-03-31T05:55:18Z Indexed on 2010/03/31 6:03 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 458

Filed under:

unicode

|

files

|

bash

|

shell

|

script

I have a list of files that I'm trying to copy and move (using cp and mv) in a bash shell script. The problem that I'm running into, is that I can't get either command to recognize a huge number of files, seemingly because the filenames contain spaces and/or unicode characters. I couldn't find any switches to decode/re-encode these characters. Instead, for example, if I copy "file name.xml", I get "*.xml" and a script error that the file wasn't found for my result. Does anyone know settings or commands that will deal with these files?

© Stack Overflow or respective owner

Related posts about unicode

Translating Between Unicode and Non-Unicode Character Sets in Java

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
You can use Java APIs not only to help translate characters, strings, and text streams to other languages, but also to convert Unicode character sets to non-Unicode and vice versa. >>> More
SQLite, python, unicode, and non-utf data

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I started by trying to store strings in sqlite using python, and got the message: sqlite3.ProgrammingError: You must not use 8-bit bytestrings unless you use a text_factory that can interpret 8-bit bytestrings (like text_factory = str). It is highly recommended that you instead just… >>> More
SQLite, python, unicode, and non-utf data

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I started by trying to store strings in sqlite using python, and got the message: sqlite3.ProgrammingError: You must not use 8-bit bytestrings unless you use a text_factory that can interpret 8-bit bytestrings (like text_factory = str). It is highly recommended that you instead just… >>> More
notepad sql Unicode and Non Unicode

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Hi, I have a Microsoft Notepad flate file with data and Vertical Bar as column delimiter. I get following message: cannot convert between unicode and non-unicode string data types It seems it is my nvarchar(max) that creates my problem. I changed to varchar(max); but still the same problem. How… >>> More
On Windows 7, dir or tree can't show unicode characters, even starting cmd with cmd /U

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
On Windows 7, dir or tree can't show unicode characters, even starting cmd with cmd /U So I would press Window Key + R to run something, and type in cmd /U so that the content might handle Unicode. And then using dir or tree /F, the content in Unicode won't show as Unicode. (in Window Explorer… >>> More

Related posts about files

Unzip individual files from multiple zip files and extract those individual files to home directory

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I would like to unzip individual files. These files have a .txt extension. These files also live within multiple zipped files. Here is the command I'm trying to use. unzip -jn /path/to/zipped/files/zipArchiveFile2011\*.zip /path/to/specific/individual/files/myfiles2011*.txt -d /path/to/home/directory/for/extract/ From… >>> More
Storing image files, psd files, ai files, flash in subversion

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hi, Can I store large amounts of image files in subversion. My designers usually create these designs and store them anywhere on their pc and there's no system. Can I store the files in an svn repository. That way I can also protect my data against unauthorized access and its also easier to archive… >>> More
Copy files in Linux, avoid the copy if files do exist in destination

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Hi, I need to copy a /home/user folder from one hardisk to another one. It has 100000 files and around 10G size. I use cp -r /origin /destination sometines I get some errors due to broken links, permissions and so on. So I fix the error, and need to start again the copy. I wonder how could… >>> More
Best way to convert pdf files to tiff files

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I have around 1000 pdf filesand I need to convert them to 300 dpi tiff files. What is the best way to do this? If there is an SDK or something or a tool that can be scripted that would be ideal. >>> More
what is the difference between ELF files and bin files

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
The final images produced by compliers contain both bin file and extended loader format ELf file ,what is the difference between too , especially the utility of ELF file. >>> More