basename: strip directory and file extension or suffix from path

displays the main part of a directory or file name, stripping directories and file name suffix

Typical usage: automation tasks, shell scripting

Installation
Usage
- Options
Examples

Introduction into basename

The basename tool is a helper tool for use in shell scripts to easily strip parts of a path, so that only the file name is returned. This simplifies automation tasks where you might need the core part of the file name and add a new extension to it, like when processing files and converting them.

Installation

When basename is not installed by default, it can be added to the system using the relevant software package.

Package information for basename

Operating system	Package name	Installation
AlmaLinux	coreutils	`dnf install coreutils`
Arch Linux	coreutils	`pacman -S coreutils`
Debian	coreutils	`apt install coreutils`
Fedora	coreutils	`dnf install coreutils`
Red Hat Enterprise Linux	coreutils	`dnf install coreutils`
Rocky Linux	coreutils	`dnf install coreutils`
openSUSE	coreutils	`zypper install coreutils`
Ubuntu	coreutils	`apt install coreutils`

Your Linux distribution using a different package? Share your feedback.

Usage

Available options

Long option	Short option	Description
--multiple	-a	Strip multiple paths
--suffix=SUFFIX	-s	Provide the file extension or suffix to strip
--zero	-z	Terminate output lines with NUL (\0), not a newline (\n)

Missing an option in this overview? Share your feedback.

Examples using basename

Return the last part of a directory name

basename /usr/share/doc

Output: doc

Only return the file name (passwd) from the full path

basename /etc/passwd

Output: passwd

Strip the .yaml extension from the file name

basename -s .yaml slab.yaml

Output: slab

Provide multiple paths and return each stripped version of them

basename -a /etc/passwd /etc/shadow

Output: passwd shadow (both are displayed each on one line, can be directly used in a for loop)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basename command and its purpose?

The basename command is a command-line tool to strip the directories above the path and an optional file name suffix

Which package provides the basename command?

The command basename is provided by the coreutils package.

Related and similar commands

Linux has a lot of tools and commands available and sometimes you just need that little other tool. Here is a list of commands that are similar or related to basename:

Related and similar commands to basename
Command	Category	Summary
fuser	files and sockets	Show processes using a file or socket
lsfd	files	Shows open file descriptors for processes
nice	processes	Runs commands with specified priority
rev	data	Shows text in reverse order
watch	processes	Monitors changes in output of specified command