While copying a directory using cp command we generally use -r or -R option, but in place of -r option we can use ‘-a’ which will archive the files and directory during copy, example is shown below, :~# cp -a /home/linuxtechi /mnt/backup/ :~# Example:6) Archive files and directory during copy (-a) rw-r-r- 1 root root 7 Feb 3 17:41 file_5txt Now verify the contents of linuxtechi directory on target place, :~# ls -l /mnt/backup/linuxtechi/ĭrwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Feb 3 17:41 data In above command, -r option will copy the files and directory recursively. Let’s assume we want to copy the home directory of linuxtechi user to “/mn/backup”, :~# cp -r /home/linuxtechi /mnt/backup/

To copy a directory from one place to another use -r or -R option in cp command. :~# Example:5) Copying a directory or folder (-r or -R) In case you want to use both interactive mode and verbose mode then use the options “-iv” :~# cp -iv /etc/fstab /mnt/backup/ If you want the verbose output of cp command then use “-v” option, example is shown below :~# cp -v /etc/fstab /mnt/backup/ In the above command one has to manually type ‘y’ to allow the copy operation Example:4) Verbose output during copy command (-v) If you wish to copy the files from one place to another interactively then use the “-i” option in cp command, interactive option only works if the destination directory already has the same file, example is shown below, :~# cp -i /etc/passwd /mnt/backup/ :~# Example:3) Copying the files interactively (-i) Let’s assume we want to copy multiples (/etc/passwd, /etc/group & /etc/shadow) at same time to target directory (/mnt/backup) :~# cp /etc/passwd /etc/group /etc/shadow /mnt/backup/ :~# Example:2 Copying multiple files at the same time Use below command to verify whether it has been copied or not. Let’s assume we want copy the /etc/passwd file to /mnt/backup directory for some backup purpose, so run below cp command, :~# cp /etc/passwd /mnt/backup/

Let’s jump into the practical examples of cp command, Example:1) Copy file to target directory

Copy File(s) to another directory or folder

Windows terminal commands copy cp