To copy multiple directories pass the path of the directories to be copied followed by the destination directory. This will recursively copy a folder and create a copy. Attempting to copy a directory results in an error.

The same operation can also be achieved through pattern matching cp *.txt foo/īy default the cp command will not copy directories. To copy multiple files using the cp command pass the names of files followed by the destination directory to the cp command. The cp command will also create the new file as part of the operation. In the following example the file foo.txt is copied to a new file called bar.txt. To copy a file with the cp command pass the name of the file to be copied and then the destination. Copies of files are independent of the original file unlike the mv command. It supports moving one or more files or folders with options for taking backups and preserving attributes. The cp command is a command-line utility for copying files and directories.

How to show files that are being copied.

How to create a hard link instead of copying.How to prompt for confirmation when copying a file.How to take a backup when copying a file.Examples of copying a file, copying multiple files, copying a directory, taking a backup when copying and preserving file attributes when copying.Įstimated reading time: 4 minutes Table of contents Last updated Saturday, Linux and Unix cp command tutorial with examples Tutorial on using cp, a UNIX and Linux command for copying files and directories. Linux and Unix cp command tutorial with examples | George Ornbo

Copy to multiple folders