Bash by Example: Copy Files
Bash 5.0+
Duplicating files and directories using the cp command with various preservation options, understanding the difference between copying single files and recursive directory copies with -r, preserving file attributes like timestamps and permissions with -p, implementing backup strategies, and handling symbolic links properly.
Code
#!/bin/bash
# Setup
echo "Original" > original.txt
mkdir -p backup
# 1. Copy single file
cp original.txt copy.txt
echo "Copied to copy.txt"
# 2. Copy to a directory
cp original.txt backup/
echo "Copied to backup/"
# 3. Copy with rename
cp original.txt backup/renamed.txt
# 4. Recursive copy (for directories)
mkdir -p source_dir/sub
touch source_dir/file.data
cp -r source_dir backup_dir
echo "Copied directory recursively"
# 5. Preserve attributes (archive mode)
cp -a original.txt preserved.txt
rm original.txt copy.txt preserved.txt
rm -rf backup source_dir backup_dirExplanation
The cp command copies files or directories. The basic syntax is cp source destination.
Key flags:
-r(recursive): Essential for copying directories.-a(archive): Preserves permissions, ownership, and timestamps. Equivalent to-dR --preserve=all.-v(verbose): Print what is being done.-i(interactive): Prompt before overwriting existing files.
Code Breakdown
8
Basic copy. If
copy.txt already exists, it will be silently overwritten.21
cp -r is mandatory when the source is a directory. It copies the folder structure and all files within it.