The cp (copy) command in Linux/Unix is used to copy files and directories from one location to another. It is one of the most commonly used commands for file management and supports a variety of options for preserving file attributes, copying directories, and handling permissions.

In this blog, we will explore the syntax, options, and examples of the cp command in Linux/Unix.

1. Syntax of the cp Command

The basic syntax of the cp command is:

cp [OPTIONS] source destination

• source – The file or directory you want to copy.
• destination – The target location where the file/directory will be copied.
• OPTIONS – Various flags that modify the command behavior.

2. Basic cp Command Examples

a) Copy a File

To copy a file from one location to another, use:

cp file1.txt /home/user/Documents/

This copies file1.txt to the Documents directory.

b) Copy a File with a New Name

To copy a file and rename it:

cp file1.txt newfile.txt

This creates a duplicate named newfile.txt.

c) Copy Multiple Files

You can copy multiple files at once:

cp file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt /home/user/Backup/

This copies all specified files to the Backup directory.

3. Copying Directories

By default, cp does not copy directories unless you use the -r (recursive) option.

a) Copy a Directory Recursively

cp -r myfolder /home/user/Backup/

This copies myfolder and all its contents to the Backup directory.

b) Copy Directory with Hidden Files

To copy hidden files as well, use:

cp -r myfolder/.* /home/user/Backup/

This ensures hidden files (starting with .) are copied.

4. Advanced cp Command Options

a) Preserve File Attributes (-p)

The -p option retains timestamps, permissions, and ownership of the file:

cp -p file1.txt /home/user/Backup/

b) Display Copy Progress (-v)

The -v (verbose) option shows details of the copying process:

cp -v file1.txt /home/user/Backup/

c) Prompt Before Overwriting (-i)

To prevent accidental overwrites, use the -i (interactive) flag:

cp -i file1.txt /home/user/Backup/

If a file with the same name exists, it asks for confirmation before overwriting.

d) Force Overwriting (-f)

To overwrite without confirmation, use:

cp -f file1.txt /home/user/Backup/

e) Preserve Symbolic Links (-a)

The -a (archive) option copies files along with symbolic links:

cp -a myfolder /home/user/Backup/

5. Copy Files Based on Modification Time

To copy only newer versions of a file (avoiding unnecessary overwrites), use:

cp -u file1.txt /home/user/Backup/

This copies file1.txt only if it’s newer than the existing one in the destination.

6. Conclusion

The cp command in Linux is a powerful tool for copying files and directories efficiently. By mastering its options like -r for directories, -p for attributes, and -i for confirmation, you can handle file management with greater control.

🚀 Start using these cp command variations in your Linux workflow and make file handling easier!

Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!