C program to rename a file using rename() function

Write a C program to rename a file using rename() function. How to rename a file using rename() function in C programming. rename() function in C programming.

Required knowledge

Basic Input Output, File handling

rename() function in C

int rename(const char * oldname, const char * newname);

rename() function is defined in stdio.h header file. It renames a file or directory from oldname to newname. The rename operation is same as move, hence you can also use this function to move a file.

It accepts two parameter oldname and newname which is pointer to constant character, defining old and new name of file.

It returns zero if file renamed successfully otherwise returns a non-zero integer. During the rename operation if there already exists a file with newname then it replaces the existing file.

Program to rename a file using rename() function

/**
 * C program to rename a file using rename() function.
 */

#include <stdio.h>


int main()
{
    // Path to old and new files
    char oldName[100], newName[100];

    // Input old and new file name
    printf("Enter old file path: ");
    scanf("%s", oldName);

    printf("Enter new file path: ");
    scanf("%s", newName);


    // rename old file with new name
    if (rename(oldName, newName) == 0)
    {
        printf("File renamed successfully.\n");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Unable to rename files. Please check files exist and you have permissions to modify files.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Enter old file path: data\file3.txt
Enter new file path: data\file3
File renamed successfully.

Enter old file path: data\file3.txt
Enter new file path: data\file3
Unable to rename files. Please check files exist and you have permissions to modify files.

You can also use it for moving a file from old location to new location.

Enter old file path: data/file3.txt
Enter new file path: file3.txt
File renamed successfully.

Happy coding 😉