cp Linux Commands
What is Linux cp Command?
Explanation
cp COMMAND:cp command copy files from one location to another. If the destination is an existing file, then the file is overwritten;
if the destination is an existing directory, the file is copied into the directory (the directory is not overwritten).SYNTAX :
cp [OPTIONS]... SOURCE DEST
cp [OPTIONS]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
cp [OPTIONS]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...
OPTIONS:
-a
same as -dpR.
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file
-b
like --backup but does not accept an argument.
-f
if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again.
-p
same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps.
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]
preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps) and security contexts,
if possible additional attributes: links, all.
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST
don't preserve the specified attribute.
--parents
append source path to DIRECTORY.
EXAMPLE:
- Copy two files:
cpfile1file2
The above cp command copies the content of file1.php to file2.php.
- To backup the copied file:
cp-bfile1.phpfile2.php
Backup of file1.php will be created with '~' symbol as file2.php~.
- Copy folder and subfolders:
cp-Rscriptsscripts1
The above cp command copy the folder and subfolders from scripts to scripts1.
cp [OPTIONS]... SOURCE DEST
cp [OPTIONS]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
cp [OPTIONS]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...
OPTIONS:
-a
same as -dpR.
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file
-b
like --backup but does not accept an argument.
-f
if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again.
-p
same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps.
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]
preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps) and security contexts,
if possible additional attributes: links, all.
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST
don't preserve the specified attribute.
--parents
append source path to DIRECTORY.
EXAMPLE:
- Copy two files:
cpfile1file2
The above cp command copies the content of file1.php to file2.php.
- To backup the copied file:
cp-bfile1.phpfile2.php
Backup of file1.php will be created with '~' symbol as file2.php~.
- Copy folder and subfolders:
cp-Rscriptsscripts1
The above cp command copy the folder and subfolders from scripts to scripts1.
| -a | same as -dpR. |
| --backup[=CONTROL] | make a backup of each existing destination file |
| -b | like --backup but does not accept an argument. |
| -f | if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again. |
| -p | same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps. |
| --preserve[=ATTR_LIST] | preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps) and security contexts, if possible additional attributes: links, all. |
| --no-preserve=ATTR_LIST | don't preserve the specified attribute. |
| --parents | append source path to DIRECTORY. |
- Copy two files:cpfile1file2
The above cp command copies the content of file1.php to file2.php. - To backup the copied file:cp-bfile1.phpfile2.php
Backup of file1.php will be created with '~' symbol as file2.php~. - Copy folder and subfolders:cp-Rscriptsscripts1
The above cp command copy the folder and subfolders from scripts to scripts1.
