Linux Shells by Example

cp—copies files

cp [options] source dest
cp [options] source… directory

The cp command copies a filename to another target which is either a file or directory. The filename and target cannot have the same name. If the target is not a directory, only one file may be specified before it; if it is a directory, more than one file may be specified. If the target does not exist, cp creates a file named target. If the target exists and is not a directory, its contents are overwritten. If the target is a directory, the file(s) are copied to that directory.

Example A.15.

1 cp --help 2 cp chapter1 book 3 cp -r desktop /usr/bin/tester

Explanation

1. Displays information about cp and its options, and exits.

2. Copies the contents of file1 to file2.

3. Copies ...