Commonly used · Organize files

cp:Copy files or directories

Syntax

cp [-rRa] source… target

Options

-r / -R

Copy directories recursively

-a

The teaching environment is processed by recursive copying

-f

Allow overwriting of normal files

Examples

cp -r projects projects-backup

Usage and sandbox support

Multiple source files require a directory as a target. True cp -a also retains more metadata.

Hands-on exercises

• Back up first and then modifyEveryday
• Back up the entire project directoryAdvanced
• Save copies of multi-level directoriesAdvanced

Full documentation ↗

Related commands

• mkdirCreate directory
• touchCreate empty file
• mvMove or rename
• rmDelete a file or directory
• rmdirDelete empty directories
• fileDetermine file type
• statView file properties
• basenameGet the name at the end of the path
• dirnameGet the parent directory path
• rsyncSynchronize directories and files
• gitManage code versions
• mktempCreate a temporary file or directory
• truncateAdjust file length
• installCopy and set installation permissions
• renameBatch rename based on expression
• ddCopy data in chunks
• syncFlush file system cache
• sha256sumGenerate or inspect SHA-256 digest
• md5sumGenerate or inspect MD5 digest
• cksumCalculate CRC check value
• base64Encode or decode Base64