Several distros unfortunately include 'mv' and 'cp' aliases by default. To get predictable behavior on the command line, always use '\mv' and '\cp'. (for bash)

I didn't know that! Why does it work?

The backslash basically means "ignore any aliases or functions by the same name, and run the first matching command in my $PATH instead".

One reason for providing this is so that you can have an alias like

    alias mv '\mv -=myfavoritearg '

but it's also good for ensuring that you didn't pick up some distro nonsense.

Thanks! So '\' is special cased here—it's not some specific manifestation of a more general phenomenon of specialised escape-handling in the shell?

> So '\' is special cased here

No; quoting any part of the command name prevents alias expansion. Eg 'mv', "mv", 'm'v, m\v, etc all work.

If I understand correctly, yes, that's how I'd describe it.

that's a good tip.

I've always used /bin/mv or /bin/ls to get just the command, but your method is shorter. (although I can't help but think of windows paths)

Lets see, I hope not :) I changed it only for when you call it with just 1 argument, which is not valid normally. Otherwise it calls the original mv.