Some Useful .cshrc Functions

If you use the command line a lot, there are numerous common commands that can be automated to save time.

Like what? Well, how about swapping the names of 2 files; or maybe unarchiving any filetype.

People who use bash are lucky, bash allows you to actually create functions in the .bashrc file. Those of use who use c-shell, however, have to deal with aliasing.

Below are a few “functions” that i have in my .cshrc file which save me a lot of time.

Swap 2 files

alias swap 'mv !:1 tmp.1 | mv !:2 !:1 | mv tmp.1 !:2'
Use: mturner@prospero: swap file1.f file2.f
Result: The filenames have been swapped for these 2 files

Move and go

alias mvg 'mv !:1 !:2 && cd !:2'
Use: mturner@prospero: mvg file1.f ~/Desktop
Result: file1.f will be moved to the specified directory, and you are automatically cd’ed to the specified directory

Copy and go

alias cpg 'cp !:1 !:2 && cd !:2'
Use: mturner@prospero: cpg file1.f ~/Desktop
Result: Same as “move and go” but the file is copied, instead of moved

Find a file

alias findit 'find . -iname "!:1" -print'
Use: mturner@prospero: findit file1.f
Result: The alias will search the current folder, as well as all sub-directories, for a file named file.f. The search is NOT case-sensitive.

Extract any common archive format

alias extract 'eval "if (!* =~ *.tar.gz) then \
tar xvzf !* \
else \
if(!* =~ *.tar.bz2) tar xvjf !* \
if(!* =~ *.bz2) bunzip !* \
if(!* =~ *.rar) unrar x !* \
if(!* =~ *.gz) gunzip !* \
if(!* =~ *.tar) tar xvf !* \
if(!* =~ *.tbz2) tar xvjf !* \
if(!* =~ *.tgz) tar xvzf !* \
if(!* =~ *.zip) unzip !* \
if(!* =~ *.Z) uncompress !* \
if(!* =~ *.7z) 7z x !* \
endif"'

Use: mturner@prospero: extract archive1.tar.gz
Result: This alias will determine the compression technique used to create an archive, and then issue the corresponding command to uncompress the archive.     UKUVCTS75QWV