cp - copy files

If the last argument names an existing directory, cp copies each file into a file with the same name in that directory. Otherwise, if only two files are given, cp copies the first onto the second. It is an error if the last argument is not a directory and more than two files are given. By default directories are not copied.

-a, --archive

Preserve as much as possible of the structure and attributes of the original files in the copy. Equivalent to --physical --preserve --recursive.

-A, --attributes=eipt

Preserve selected file attributes:

e

Everything permissible.

i

Owner uid and gid.

p

Permissions.

t

Access and modify times.

-p, --preserve

Preserve file owner, group, permissions and timestamps.

-h, --hierarchy|parents

Form the name of each destination file by appending to the target directory a slash and the specified source file name. The last argument must be an existing directory. Missing destination directories are created.

-H, --metaphysical

Follow command argument symbolic links, otherwise don't follow.

-l, --link

Make hard links to destination files instead of copies.

-U, --remove-destination

Remove existing destination files before copying.

-L, --logical|dereference

Follow symbolic links and copy the files they point to.

-P|d, --physical|nodereference

Don't follow symbolic links; copy symbolic rather than the files they point to.

-f, --force

Replace existing destination files.

-i, --interactive|prompt

Prompt whether to replace existing destination files. An affirmative response (y or Y) replaces the file, a quit response (q or Q) exits immediately, and all other responses skip the file.

-r|R, --recursive

Operate on the contents of directories recursively.

-s, --symlink|symbolic-link

Make symbolic links to destination files.

-u, --update

Replace a destination file only if its modification time is older than the corresponding source file modification time.

-v, --verbose

Print the name of each file before operating on it.

-F, --fsync|sync

fsync(2) each file after it is copied.

-B, --backup[=type]

Make backups of files that are about to be replaced. --suffix sets the backup suffix. The backup type is determined in this order: this option, the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable, or the default value existing. type may be one of:

numbered|t

Always make numbered backups. The numbered backup suffix is . SNS, where S is the backup-suffix and N is the version number, starting at 1, incremented with each version.

existing|nil

Make numbered backups of files that already have them, otherwise simple backups.

simple|never

Always make simple backups.

none|off

Disable backups.

The option value may be omitted.

-S, --suffix=suffix

A backup file is made by renaming the file to the same name with the backup suffix appended. The backup suffix is determined in this order: this option, the SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX, environment variable, or the default value ~.

-b

--backup using the type in the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.

-x|X, --xdev|local|mount|one-file-system

Do not descend into directories in different filesystems than their parents.

pax(1), fsync(2), rename(2), unlink(2), remove(3)

version

cp (AT&T Research) 2011-05-03

author

Glenn Fowler <gsf@research.att.com >

author

David Korn <dgk@research.att.com>

copyright

Copyright © 1992-2012 AT&T Intellectual Property

license

http://www.eclipse.org/org/documents/epl-v10.html