cp Command

Copies files from one location to another.

Syntax

cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST

-a, --archive	same as -dpR
--backup	make a backup of each existing destination file
-b	like --backup but does not accept an argument
--copy-contents	copy contents of special files when recursive
-d	same as --no-dereference --preserve=link
--no-dereference	never follow symbolic links
-f, --force	if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again
-i, --interactive	prompt before overwrite
-H	follow command-line symbolic links
-l, --link	link files instead of copying
-L, --dereference	always follow symbolic links
-p	same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]	preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible additional attributes: links, all
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST	don't preserve the specified attributes
--parents	append source path to DIRECTORY
-P	same as '--no-dereference'
-R, -r, --recursive	copy directories recursively
--remove-destination	remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (contrast with --force)
--reply={yes,no,query}	specify how to handle the prompt about an existing destination file
--sparse=WHEN	control creation of sparse files
--strip-trailing-slashes	remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE argument
-s, --symbolic-link	make symbolic links instead of copying
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX	override the usual backup suffix
--target-directory=DIRECTORY	move all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-u, --update	copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing
-v, --verbose	explain what is being done
-x, --one-file-system	stay on this file system

Examples

cp file.sh newfolder

Copies the file.sh from current directory to the newfolder directory.

cp /home/log.txt /home/backuplog.txt

Copies the log.txt file in the home directory to the home directory itself but as backuplog.txt. The files are identical however have different names.

cp *.c new

Copy all files ending in .c extention into the "new" directory.