cp: Copy Files

Sometimes you need a copy of a file: a backup, or a starting point for something new. The cp command (copy) does exactly that.

The pattern is always: cp SOURCE DESTINATION.

cp mission.txt mission-backup.txt

This makes a second file, mission-backup.txt, with the same contents. The original is left untouched.

Copying into a folder

If the destination is an existing folder, the copy keeps its original name and lands inside that folder:

cp mission.txt backups

This creates backups/mission.txt.

Copying a whole folder: cp -r

A plain cp refuses to copy a directory:

cp reports reports-backup

cp: -r not specified; omitting directory 'reports'

The -r option (recursive) copies the folder and everything inside it:

cp -r reports reports-backup

Now reports-backup is a full copy of reports.

A word of caution

If the destination file already exists, cp overwrites it without asking. Pick your destination names carefully.

Mission: Emergency Backup

A solar storm warning has been issued. Critical station data must be backed up immediately, all gathered in one safe folder before any damage occurs.

1. Create a folder called backups.
2. Copy mission.txt into backups (keeping its name).
3. Copy the entire reports folder into backups. Since it has contents, this needs a recursive copy.
4. Verify the backup as a tree.

Expected result

backups contains a copy of mission.txt and a full copy of the reports folder with all its logs.