cp

The copy command for Linux is cp.

Example:

cp /home/fred/text /home/jim/

This command will copy the file text to Jim's home directory.

options

-a retain archival attributes

-b create backup of file instead of overwriting

-d maintain symbolic links

-f force copy

-i interactive mode, prompts before files are overwritten

-l creates links between files copied to directories instead of actually copying the file

-p preserve existing permissions

-r copy entire directory and subdirectories

-R copy entire directory and subdirectories

-s create symbolic links between file copied to directories instead of actual copy

-S set a suffix to all new files, default is ~

-u does not copy to newer files

-v verbose mode

-V version-control numbering

-x ignores subdirectories on remote file systems