Knowledgebase

cp - Copy files

CODE:

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$ cp [options] [source] [dest]

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The cp command copies file(s) from one directory to another directories on your server via SSH.

For example:

CODE:

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$ cp /usr/file.txt /var/file.txt

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Would copy the file.txt file from the /usr/ directory to the /var/ directory.

Options:

-a, --archive

same as -dpR

--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=link

--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

same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps

--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]

preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible additional attributes: links, all

--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST

don't preserve the specified attributes

--parents

append source path to DIRECTORY

-P

same as `--no-dereference'

-R, -r, --recursive

copy directories recursively

--remove-destination

remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (contrast with --force)

--reply={yes,no,query}

specify how to handle the prompt about an existing destination file

--sparse=WHEN

control creation of sparse files

--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