How to use cp command to copy files in linux

How to use the cp command to copy files in Linux: [cp source file target folder]. For example, if we want to copy the 1.txt file to the testDir directory, we can execute the command [cp 1.txt testDir].

The cp copy command is very practical in Linux. It can copy the file (directory) under the specified path to (into) another file or directory middle.

linux cp copy command

The Linux cp command is mainly used to copy files or directories.

Basic syntax:

cp [options]  源文件   目标文件（夹）

Parameter [options] description:

-a: This option is usually Used when copying a directory, it preserves links, file attributes, and copies all contents under the directory. Its effect is equal to the dpR parameter combination.

-d: Keep the link when copying. The links mentioned here are equivalent to shortcuts in Windows systems.

-f: Overwrite an existing target file without giving a prompt.

-i: Contrary to the -f option, a prompt is given before overwriting the target file, asking the user to confirm whether to overwrite. The target file will be overwritten when answering "y".

-p: In addition to copying the contents of the file, the modification time and access permissions are also copied to the new file.

-r: If the given source file is a directory file, all subdirectories and files in the directory will be copied.

-l: Do not copy files, just generate link files.

linux cp command example

1. Copy a file to the target file (folder)

Format:

cp 源文件 目标文件（夹）

Example: Copy the 1.txt file to the testDir folder and 2.text of the testDir folder respectively

Note:

If the file is copied to a folder, the file name will remain unchanged. If it is copied to a file, the file name will be changed. If the target file already exists or the target folder contains a file with the same name, the target file or the file with the same name in the target folder will be overwritten after copying.

2. Copy multiple files to the target file (folder) at the same time

Format (two types):

cp 源文件1 源文件2 目标文件夹

can be listed Copy multiple files to the target folder at one time, each file is directly separated by spaces

cp 文件* 目标文件夹

uses the wildcard character *, and all files that meet the conditions can be copied to the target folder; for example: *. txt is to copy all files ending with ".txt" to the target folder.

Example: Copy files 1.txt, 2.txt, and 3.txt to the testDir folder

3. Copy a folder to the target file

Format:

cp -r 源文件夹 目标文件夹

Note: You must add the "-r" parameter when copying the folder. Otherwise, the "cp: omitting directory" error will occur.

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