CP(1) FSF CP(1)
NAME
cp - copy files and directories
SYNOPSIS
cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST
cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
cp [OPTION]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...
DESCRIPTION
Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.
-a, --archive
same as -dpR
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file(1,n)
-b like --backup but does not accept(2,8) an argument
-d, --no-dereference
never follow symbolic links
-f, --force
if(3,n) an existing destination file(1,n) cannot be opened, remove it and
try again
-i, --interactive
prompt before overwrite
-H follow command-line symbolic links
-l, --link
link(1,2) files instead of copying
-L, --dereference
always follow symbolic links
-p, --preserve
preserve file(1,n) attributes if(3,n) possible
--parents
append source path to DIRECTORY
-P same as `--parents' for now; soon to change to `--no-derefer-
ence' to conform to POSIX
-r copy recursively, non-directories as files WARNING: use -R
instead when you might copy special files like FIFOs or
/dev/zero
--remove-destination
remove each existing destination file(1,n) before attempting to open(2,3,n)
it (contrast with --force)
--sparse=WHEN
control creation of sparse files
-R, --recursive
copy directories recursively
--strip-trailing-slashes remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE
argument
-s, --symbolic-link
make symbolic links instead of copying
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX
override the usual backup suffix
--target-directory=DIRECTORY
move(3x,7,3x curs_move) all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-u, --update
copy only when the SOURCE file(1,n) is newer than the destination
file(1,n) or when the destination file(1,n) is missing
-v, --verbose
explain what is being done
-x, --one-file-system
stay on this file(1,n) system
--help display this help and exit(3,n,1 builtins)
--version
output version(1,3,5) information and exit(3,n,1 builtins)
By default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and
the corresponding DEST file(1,n) is made sparse as well. That is the behav-
ior selected by --sparse=auto(5,8). Specify --sparse=always to create a
sparse DEST file(1,n) whenever the SOURCE file(1,n) contains a long enough
sequence of zero bytes. Use --sparse=never to inhibit creation of
sparse files.
The backup suffix is `~', unless set(7,n,1 builtins) with --suffix or SIM-
PLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The version(1,3,5) control method may be selected via the
--backup option or through the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.
Here are the values:
none, off
never make backups (even if(3,n) --backup is given)
numbered, t
make numbered backups
existing, nil
numbered if(3,n) numbered backups exist, simple otherwise
simple, never
always make simple backups
As a special case, cp makes a backup of SOURCE when the force and
backup options are given and SOURCE and DEST are the same name for an
existing, regular file.
AUTHOR
Written by Torbjorn Granlund, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.
REPORTING BUGS
Report bugs to <bug-fileutils@gnu.org>.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is
NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.
SEE ALSO
The full documentation for cp is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If
the info(1,5,n) and cp programs are properly installed at your site, the com-
mand
info(1,5,n) cp
should give you access(2,5) to the complete manual.
cp (fileutils) 4.1 April 2001 CP(1)