--- Begin Message ---
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Subject: |
[PATCH] mv: document the missing atomicity of 'mv -n' |
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Date: |
Wed, 3 Jan 2018 16:01:47 +0100 |
* src/mv.c (usage): Add note about the missing atomicity of 'mv -n'.
* doc/coreutils.texi (mv invocation): Likewise.
---
doc/coreutils.texi | 3 +++
src/mv.c | 2 ++
2 files changed, 5 insertions(+)
diff --git a/doc/coreutils.texi b/doc/coreutils.texi
index 3fa083085..e7ca6a737 100644
--- a/doc/coreutils.texi
+++ b/doc/coreutils.texi
@@ -9660,6 +9660,9 @@ If the response is not affirmative, the file is skipped.
Do not overwrite an existing file.
@mvOptsIfn
This option is mutually exclusive with @option{-b} or @option{--backup} option.
+Note that the operation is not atomic. If @var{dest} appears after
address@hidden has checked its non-existence, it can be overwritten despite
+the @option{-n} option is used.
@item -u
@itemx --update
diff --git a/src/mv.c b/src/mv.c
index a8df730a7..a08e75649 100644
--- a/src/mv.c
+++ b/src/mv.c
@@ -306,6 +306,8 @@ Rename SOURCE to DEST, or move SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.\n\
-i, --interactive prompt before overwrite\n\
-n, --no-clobber do not overwrite an existing file\n\
If you specify more than one of -i, -f, -n, only the final one takes effect.\n\
+NOTE: The operation is not atomic. If DEST appears after mv has checked its\n\
+non-existence, it can be overwritten despite the -n option is used.\n\
"), stdout);
fputs (_("\
--strip-trailing-slashes remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE\n\
--
2.13.6
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