How to use the cp command in linux commands

cp command is used in Linux to copy files and directories. Its usage is as follows: Syntax: cp [options] Source file/directory target file/directory options: -a: Keep file attributes -b: Overwrite existing target files and keep backups -f: Force overwrite existing target files -i: Prompt for confirmation before overwriting -n: Do not overwrite the existing target file -r: Recursively copy the directory -v: Display copy details

cp command in Linux Usage in

cp command is a command used to copy files and directories in Linux systems. It can copy files or directories from one location to another.

Syntax:

<code>cp [选项] 源文件/目录 目标文件/目录</code>

Options:

• -a: Keep the file or directory Properties, including permissions, ownership, and timestamps.
• -b: If the target file already exists, overwrite it but keep a backup copy of it.
• -f: Force copying even if the destination file already exists and is not writable.
• -i: Prompt user for confirmation before overwriting existing files.
• -n: Do not overwrite existing files.
• -r: Recursively copies a directory and all its subdirectories and files.
• -v: Displays detailed output about the copy process.

Usage example:

• Copy a file:

<code>cp file1 file2</code>

• Copy a directory recursively:

<code>cp -r directory1 directory2</code>

• Overwrite an existing file:

<code>cp -f file1 file2</code>

• Preserve file attributes:

<code>cp -a file1 file2</code>

• Prompt user for confirmation:

<code>cp -i file1 file2</code>

• Do not overwrite Existing files:

<code>cp -n file1 file2</code>

Notes:

• The destination file or directory must have sufficient permissions to copy into it.
• The cp command can copy linked files, but not the files or directories they point to.
• The rmdir command cannot delete non-empty directories, so when using cp -r to copy a directory, the target directory must not exist.

The above is the detailed content of How to use the cp command in linux commands. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!