#Linux copy directory and contents full

The backup suffix is '~', unless set with -suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. Use -reflink= never to ensure a standard copy is performed. If this is not possible the copy fails, or if -reflink= auto is specified, fall back to a standard copy. When -reflink is specified, perform a lightweight copy, where the data blocks are copied only when modified. Use -sparse= never to inhibit creation of sparse files. Specify -sparse= always to create a sparse DEST file whenever the SOURCE file contains a long enough sequence of zero bytes. That is the behavior selected by -sparse= auto. Like -Z, or if CTX is specified then set the SELinux or SMACK security context to CTX -helpīy default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and the corresponding DEST file is made sparse as well. Set SELinux security context of destination file to default type -context

Override the usual backup suffix -t, -target-directory= DIRECTORYĬopy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY -T, -no-target-directoryĬopy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing -v, -verboseĮxplain what is being done -x, -one-file-system Make symbolic links instead of copying -S, -suffix= SUFFIX Remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE argument -s, -symbolic-link Remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (contrast with -force) -sparse= WHENĬontrol creation of sparse files.

#Linux copy directory and contents full

Use full source file name under DIRECTORY -R, -r, -recursiveĬopy directories recursively -reflinkĬontrol clone/CoW copies. Preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible additional attributes: context, links, xattr, all -cĭeprecated, same as -preserve= context -no-preserve= ATTR_LISTĭon't preserve the specified attributes -parents

Same as -preserve= mode,ownership,timestamps -preserve Hard link files instead of copying -L, -dereferenceĪlways follow symbolic links in SOURCE -n, -no-clobberĭo not overwrite an existing file (overrides a previous -i option) -P, -no-dereference Prompt before overwrite (overrides a previous -n option) -Hįollow command-line symbolic links in SOURCE -l, -link If an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again (this option is ignored when the -n option is also used) -i, -interactive Same as -no-dereference -preserve= links -f, -force Like -backup but does not accept an argument -copy-contentsĬopy contents of special files when recursive -d

Make a backup of each existing destination file -b Same as -dR -preserve= all -attributes-onlyĭon't copy the file data, just the attributes -backup Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too. DescriptionĬopy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

Copy text files to another location, in interactive mode (prompts user before overwriting): cp -i *.txt path/to/target_directoryĬp.

Copy a directory recursively, in verbose mode (shows files as they are copied): cp - v r path/to/directory path/to/copy.

Recursively copy a directory's contents to another location (if the destination exists, the directory is copied inside it): cp -r path/to/directory path/to/copy.

Copy a file into another directory, keeping the filename: cp path/to/file.ext path/to/target_parent_directory.

Copy a file to another location: cp path/to/file.ext path/to/copy.ext.

Cp - copy files and directories Examples (TL DR)