cp

CP(1)                                 FSF                                CP(1)



NAME
       cp - copy files and directories

SYNOPSIS
       cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST
       cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
       cp [OPTION]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...

DESCRIPTION
       Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

       Mandatory  arguments  to  long  options are mandatory for short options
       too.

       -a, --archive
              same as -dpR

       --backup[=CONTROL]
              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,owner-
              ship,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

       --help display this help and exit

       --version
              output version information and exit

       By  default,  sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and
       the corresponding DEST file is made sparse as well.  That is the behav-
       ior  selected  by  --sparse=auto.   Specify --sparse=always to create a
       sparse DEST file whenever  the  SOURCE  file  contains  a  long  enough
       sequence  of  zero  bytes.   Use  --sparse=never to inhibit creation of
       sparse files.

       The  backup  suffix  is  `~',  unless  set  with   --suffix   or   SIM-
       PLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.   The version control method may be selected via the
       --backup option or through the  VERSION_CONTROL  environment  variable.
       Here are the values:

       none, off
              never make backups (even if --backup is given)

       numbered, t
              make numbered backups

       existing, nil
              numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise

       simple, never
              always make simple backups

       As  a  special  case,  cp  makes  a backup of SOURCE when the force and
       backup options are given and SOURCE and DEST are the same name  for  an
       existing, regular file.

AUTHOR
       Written by Torbjorn Granlund, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.

REPORTING BUGS
       Report bugs to <bug-coreutils@gnu.org>.

COPYRIGHT
       Copyright (C) 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
       This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is
       NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR  A  PARTICULAR
       PURPOSE.

SEE ALSO
       The  full  documentation  for cp is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If
       the info and cp programs are properly installed at your site, the  com-
       mand

              info cp

       should give you access to the complete manual.



cp (coreutils) 4.5.3             October 2003                            CP(1)