14.9.4 Immediate File Operations in Dired

Some file operations in Dired take place immediately when they are requested.

C

Copies the file described on the current line. You must supply a file name to copy to, using the minibuffer.

f

Visits the file described on the current line. It is just like typing C-x C-f and supplying that file name. If the file on this line is a subdirectory, f actually causes Dired to be invoked on that subdirectory. See Visiting.

o

Like f, but uses another window to display the file’s buffer. The Dired buffer remains visible in the first window. This is like using C-x 4 C-f to visit the file. See Windows.

R

Renames the file described on the current line. You must supply a file name to rename to, using the minibuffer.

v

Views the file described on this line using M-x view-file. Viewing a file is like visiting it, but is slanted toward moving around in the file conveniently and does not allow changing the file. See View File. Viewing a file that is a directory runs Dired on that directory.