Understanding the cp Command in Bash | by Javascript Jeep🚙💨

The cp command in Bash is used to repeat recordsdata and directories from one location to a different.

Copy Command Syntax and Rationalization

The essential syntax of the cp command is:

cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DESTINATION

• SOURCE: The file or listing you need to copy.
• DESTINATION: The situation the place you need to place the copied file or listing.
• OPTION: Non-obligatory flags that modify the conduct of the cp command.

Generally used choices embrace:

• -r or -R: Recursively copy directories and their contents.
• -i: Immediate earlier than overwriting an present file.
• -u: Copy solely when the SOURCE file is newer than the DESTINATION file or when the DESTINATION file is lacking.
• -v: Verbose mode, which exhibits the recordsdata being copied.
• -T: Deal with the vacation spot as a standard file. That is helpful whenever you don’t need to create a brand new listing on the vacation spot.
• -f: Pressure the copy operation by eradicating the vacation spot file if it can’t be opened.

Copying Recordsdata Instance

To repeat a file from one location to a different, use the cp command with the supply file path and the vacation spot path.

cp /path/to/supply/file.txt /path/to/vacation spot/

Instance:

cp ~/Paperwork/report.txt ~/Backup/

This command copies the report.txt file from the Paperwork listing to the Backup listing.

Copying a File with a Totally different Identify

You possibly can copy a file and provides it a distinct identify within the vacation spot listing.

cp /path/to/supply/file.txt /path/to/vacation spot/newfile.txt

Instance:

cp ~/Paperwork/report.txt ~/Backup/report_backup.txt

This command copies the report.txt file to the Backup listing and renames it to report_backup.txt.

Copy Listing to a New Listing