Apr 11, 2025 · The cp (copy) command is your go-to tool in Linux for duplicating files and folders quickly. Whether you’re backing up data, organizing files, or sharing content, cp lets you copy items between locations while keeping the original intact.

Oct 18, 2023 · Like any other operating system, you can copy and paste files and directories (folders) in a Linux distribution using the desktop interface. But you can save time by copying those files in the Terminal. Here's how. What is the cp Command?

Copying a directory (and it’s contents) recursively: The mv command will move or rename files or directories, or can move multiple sources (files and directories) to a destination directory. The basic syntax of the mv command is: To move multiple files/directories into a …

Mar 28, 2022 · Let us see how to copy one file contents to another file in Linux using the CLI. The cp commands basic syntax is: cp [options] file_name new_file_name. cp original_name new_name. Please note that when a copy is made of a file, the copy must have a different name than the original. For example, the following is a valid example:

Dec 18, 2023 · How to copy all files in a directory at once. If you don’t want to manually write out each file, and you just need to copy all files that are in a directory, you can use the * wildcard. Here’s an example: cp /home/directory1/* /opt/directory2. This will copy all files in “directory1” to “directory2”. If you want to only the .txt ...

Aug 26, 2021 · One of the most basic commands in Linux is the cp or copy command. The most basic way to use this command is to copy a file or multiple files. The cp command is one of the first commands you should learn as a newcomer to Linux, as copying files and directories is something you’ll do often.

Mar 19, 2025 · How to Copy Files in Linux Using the ‘cp’ Command. Knowing how to efficiently copy files in Linux is a skill worth having. The cp command is your go-to tool for this task. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned user, mastering the cp command is essential. Basic Syntax and Options for ‘cp’ Getting familiar with the cp command is ...

Apr 16, 2025 · In this example: The ls command lists the current files: a.txt( the source file) and b.txt (the destination file).; The command cat a.txt shows the contents of a.txt.; The command cat b.txt shows the contents of b.txt.; The command cp -f a.txt b.txt performs a forced copy.; The destination file (b.txt) is overwritten without any confirmation. …

Jun 6, 2022 · In this article, I'll explain what the cp command is and show you how to copy and paste files and directories in Linux using the terminal. What is the cp command? You use the cp command for copying files from one location to another. This command can also copy directories (folders). The syntax of this command is:

Dec 31, 2024 · At its core, cp copies files or directories from a source to a destination. It creates an exact copy at the destination while keeping the original file at the source intact. Here is a simple example copying a file: Now source.txt exists in both the original directory and /destination/path.