man/cat1/cp.1.txt

CP(1) User Commands CP(1)
 
 
 
 
 
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 -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 addi-
              tional 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 exist-
              ing 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
 
       -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
 
       --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 whenever 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
       SIMPLE_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-coreutils@gnu.org>.
 
COPYRIGHT
       Copyright (C) 2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
       This is free software; see the source for copying condi-
       tions. There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABIL-
       ITY 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 5.3.0 November 2004 CP(1)