# rename

(PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7)

rename — Renames a file or directory

### Description

rename ( string `$oldname` , string `$newname` [, resource `$context` ] ) : bool

Attempts to rename `oldname` to `newname`, moving it between directories if necessary. If renaming a file and `newname` exists, it will be overwritten. If renaming a directory and `newname` exists, this function will emit a warning.

### Parameters

`oldname`

  The old name.

  > Note:

  > The wrapper used in `oldname` must match the wrapper used in `newname`.

`newname`

  The new name.

`context`

  > Note: Context support was added with PHP 5.0.0. For a description of `contexts`, refer to Streams.

### Return Values

Returns `TRUE` on success or `FALSE` on failure.

### Examples

Example #1 Example with rename()

`<?php
rename("/tmp/tmp_file.txt", "/home/user/login/docs/my_file.txt");
?>`

### See Also

- copy() - Copies file
- unlink() - Deletes a file
- move_uploaded_file() - Moves an uploaded file to a new location