CP(1) FSF CP(1)NAMEcp - copy files and directories
SYNOPSIScp [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
-b like --backup but does not accept an argument
-d, --no-dereference
never follow symbolic links
-f, --force
if an existing destination file cannot be opened,
remove it and try again
-i, --interactive
prompt before overwrite
-H follow command-line symbolic links
-l, --link
link files instead of copying
-L, --dereference
always follow symbolic links
-p, --preserve
preserve file attributes if possible
--parents
append source path to DIRECTORY
-P same as `--parents' for now; soon to change to
`--no-dereference' 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 before
attempting to open 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 all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-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
--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 corresponding DEST file is made sparse
as well. That is the behavior selected by --sparse=auto.
Specify --sparse=always to create a sparse DEST file when
ever the SOURCE file contains a long enough sequence of
zero bytes. Use --sparse=never to inhibit creation of
sparse files.
The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIM
PLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The version control method may be
selected via the --backup option or through the VER
SION_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 other
wise
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 condi
tions. 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 and cp programs are properly
installed at your site, the command
info cp
should give you access to the complete manual.
cp (fileutils) 4.1 April 2001 CP(1)
