Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Name

cp

Synopsis

cp [options] file1 file2
cp [options] files directory

Copy file1 to file2, or copy one or more files to the same names under directory. If the destination is an existing file, the file is overwritten; if the destination is an existing directory, the file is copied into the directory (the directory is not overwritten).

Options

-a, --archive

Preserve attributes of original files where possible. The same as -dpr.

-b, --backup[=control]

Back up files to be overwritten. As -b, takes no argument. For --backup, control specifies the type of backup and can also be set with the environment variable VERSION-CONTROL. The default is existing. Valid arguments are:

t, numbered

Always make numbered backups.

nil, existing

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

never, simple

Always make simple backups.

none, off

Never make backups, even if --backup is specified.

-c

The same as --preserve=context.

--copy-contents

Copy contents of special files when recursive.

-d

The same as --no-dereference --preserve=links.

-f, --force

Remove an existing file in the destination if it can’t be opened. See also --remove-destination.

-H

Follow command-line symbolic links in the source.

-i, --interactive

Prompt before overwriting destination files. On most systems, this flag is turned off by default except for the root user, who is normally prompted before overwriting files.

-l, --link

Make hard links, not copies, of nondirectories.

-L, --dereference

Always follow symbolic links.

--no-preserve ...