The `cp` command in Linux is used for copying files and directories. It allows users to duplicate files while preserving their content and attributes. With a simple syntax, users specify the source file or directory along with the destination where the copy is to be created. The command is versatile, capable of copying single files or entire directories, and it offers options to control the behavior of the copying process. Users can use flags like `-r` to copy directories recursively, `-i` to prompt before overwriting files, and more. `cp` is an essential tool for managing and organizing data in the Linux command-line environment, enabling efficient replication of files and directories with various customization options.
NAME
cp - copy files and directories
SYNOPSIS
cp [OPTION]... [-T] SOURCE DEST
cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
cp [OPTION]... -t DIRECTORY SOURCE...
DESCRIPTION
Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.
Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.
-a, --archive
same as -dR --preserve=all
--attributes-only
don't copy the file data, just the attributes
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file
-b like --backup but does not accept an argument
--copy-contents
copy contents of special files when recursive
-d same as --no-dereference --preserve=links
-f, --force
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
prompt before overwrite (overrides a previous -n option)
-H follow command-line symbolic links in SOURCE
-l, --link
hard link files instead of copying
-L, --dereference
always follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-n, --no-clobber
do not overwrite an existing file (overrides a previous -i option)
-P, --no-dereference
never follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-p same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]
preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if
possible additional attributes: context, links, xattr, all
-c deprecated, same as --preserve=context
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST
don't preserve the specified attributes
--parents
use full source file name under DIRECTORY
-R, -r, --recursive
copy directories recursively
--reflink[=WHEN]
control clone/CoW copies. See below
--remove-destination
remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (con‐
trast with --force)
--sparse=WHEN
control creation of sparse files. See below
--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
-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY
copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-T, --no-target-directory
treat DEST as a normal file
-u, --update
copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when
the destination file is missing
-v, --verbose
explain what is being done
-x, --one-file-system
stay on this file system
-Z set SELinux security context of destination file to default type
--context[=CTX]
like -Z, or if CTX is specified then set the SELinux or SMACK security
context to CTX
--help display this help and exit
--version
output version information and exit
By default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and the corre‐
sponding DEST file is made sparse as well. That is the behavior selected by
--sparse=auto. Specify --sparse=always to create a sparse DEST file whenever the
SOURCE file contains a long enough sequence of zero bytes. Use --sparse=never to
inhibit creation of sparse files.
When --reflink[=always] is specified, perform a lightweight copy, where the data
blocks are copied only when modified. If this is not possible the copy fails, or
if --reflink=auto is specified, fall back to a standard copy.
The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The
version 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 --backup is given)
numbered, t
make numbered backups
existing, nil
numbered if 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.
GNU coreutils online help: <http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/> Report cp
translation bugs to <http://translationproject.org/team/>
AUTHOR
Written by Torbjorn Granlund, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version
3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO
WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
SEE ALSO
The full documentation for cp is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the info and
cp programs are properly installed at your site, the command
info coreutils 'cp invocation'
should give you access to the complete manual.
GNU coreutils 8.22 April 2018 CP(1)