cp is a Linux shell command to copy files and directories.
cp command syntax
Copy from source to dest
$ cp [options] source dest
cp command options
cp command main options:
| option | description |
|---|---|
| cp -a | archive files |
| cp -f | force copy by removing the destination file if needed |
| cp -i | interactive - ask before overwrite |
| cp -l | link files instead of copy |
| cp -L | follow symbolic links |
| cp -n | no file overwrite |
| cp -R | recursive copy (including hidden files) |
| cp -u | update - copy when source is newer than dest |
| cp -v | verbose - print informative messages |
cp command examples
Copy single file main.c to destination directory bak:
$ cp main.c bak
Copy 2 files main.c and def.h to destination absolute path directory /home/usr/cal/ :
$ cp main.c def.h /home/usr/cal/
Copy all C files in current directory to subdirectory bak :
$ cp *.c bak
Copy directory src to absolute path directory /home/usr/cal/ :
$ cp src /home/usr/cal/
Copy all files and directories in dev recursively to subdirectory bak:
$ cp -R dev bak
Force file copy:
$ cp -f test.c bak
Interactive prompt before file overwrite:
$ cp -i test.c bakcp: overwrite 'bak/test.c'? y
Update all files in current directory - copy only newer files to destination directory bak:
$ cp -u * bak
cp code generator
Select cp options and press the Generate Code button: