While working on development project or support activities in Linux operation system , I often need to backup or rename the current working folder /directory before many any changes. Let’s see how we can do accomplished that.
How to copy-rename Files/folder in Linux Operating system
Linux Operating system provides cp command to copy the files/directory from one place to another and mv command to move/rename the file/directory/folder. Apart of these we can also use rsync utility to perform copy and backup.
Each of these command has various options to change directory
I would explaining each command in details here with many examples
cp copy files/dirs [copy linux command]
This command is used in Unix/Linux Operation system to copy the files and directory
| cp | General Options: -i Interactive. cp will prompt for confirmation whenever the copy would overwrite an existing target. -r Recursive. cp will copy the directory and all its files, including any subdirectories and their files to target. -p Preserve. cp duplicates not only the contents of source_file, but also preserves the owner and group id, permissions modes, modification and access time. |
| – | More Options: -v verbose. cp will show all the file being copied. -u copy only if the source file is newer –backup This option will make backup copy of the file in destination side.–backup=simple option will create a backup file which marked by a tilde sign (~)–attributes-only This option will copy file with zero bytes and same attribute as source file-f Force option. it will force the copying activity. If the destination files cannot be opened, then -f will try again.-a archive option. It will copy the directory with exact files and directory including symbolic link-L copy without following symbolic link in source-P copy following symbolic link in source |
How it works for General option
If directory d2 does not exist, it is created. Otherwise, it creates a directory named d1 within directory d2.
| Command | Results |
| cp x y | Copies the contents of x into y. If y does not exist, it is created; otherwise, y is overwritten with the contents of x. |
| cp -i x y | Like above however, since the “-i” (interactive) option is specified, if y exists, the user is prompted before it is overwritten with the contents of x. |
| cp x d1 | Copy the contents of x (into a file named x) inside of directory d1. |
| cp -R d1 d2 | Copy the contents of the directory d1. |
Examples of copy directory linux command
| Copy the file myfile1 to myfile2
cp myfile1 myfile2
Copy multiple files to the directory
cp file1 file2 file3 dir1/
Copy the file preserving the timestamp
cp -p file1 file1_backup
Copy a directory dir1 to dir2
cp -r dir1 dir2
Copy a directory dir1 to home directory
cp -r dir1 /home/user/
Copy the file myfile1 to myfile2 with verbose option
cp -v myfile1 myfile2
Copy the file myfile1 to myfile2 only if source file is newer wih verbose option
cp -vu myfile.txt /home/users/
Copy the files using interactive mode
cp -I *.txt dir/
|
Screenshot of copy directory linux command
mv – move files(s) /dirs[how to rename a directory in linux]
| Options: –
-f mv will move the file(s) without prompting even if it is writing over an existing target.
-i mv will prompt for confirmation whenever the move would overwrite an existing target
|
Examples
- mv –i f1.txt f2.txt
[moves f1.txt to f2.txt, if f2.txt exists prompts for confirmation.]
- mv file1 file2 file3 dest_directory.
[ moves file1 to 3 to dst_directory.]
- mv –r oracle/app /u000
[ moves directory app and all its subdirectories files to /u000 directory]
- mv f1.txt oracle/f2.txt
[ moves directory app and all its subdirectories files to /u000 directory]
You can find all the option of cp and mv using the command man cp,man mv
rsync
We have written a nice article previously to explain various option it. I would certainly recommend you to read it and get the benefits
Frequently asked question for copy directory command
1) how to copy multiple directories to a directory in Linux
Answer
You can use copy command like this
suppose you need to copy directories dir1 dir2 to dir3, then copy like below
cp -r dir1 dir2 dir3/
2) How to copy the directory tree structure without copying the files inside them
Answer
find SOURCE -type d -exec mkdir -p TARGET/{} \;
Conclusion
Copying or backing up the folder or files is not a scary task. If you know the commands with the option available , it is easy to copy or backup the folder/directory in Linux.We can use either of three command cp,mv or rsync according to the need and circumstances. I would suggest you to go over unix box and create a directory with sample files and try the option given above to get hands on experience with the commands
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