really simple cp syntax question

[Jay Bollyn]

I would like to copy all files and directories in source location to target location. I'm sure my answer is in the man cp file, but I am having trouble. I thought it would be easiest to first be in the target directory, and then enter the following, using the period as the current dir:

cp /home/jbollyn/test .

My goal is to copy all files in the test dir into the current dir, and also copy all the child dirs and files of test to the target location, creating the complete dir structure.

So you see, I told you it was simple.

You can expect to see more bonehead questions from me, until I get up to speed (which might take awhile).

If it matters, I am running Debian 3.1.

J.

[Victor Semaska_3 · Accepted solution]

Jay,

To do a copy including child dirs (known as a recursive copy) use the -r option. The command would be:

cp -r /home/jbollyn/test .

vic

[Jay Bollyn]

Yeah, I thought 'recursive' might be involved in this, but I need to get more familiar with this term.

Even though this is just a test server, I really don't want to hose it just for fun.

I'm sure you are correct. I will check it out tomorrow from the office and post back.

J.

[Ivan Ferreira]

You should use:

cp -Rp /home/jbollyn/test/* .

This will copy the content of the test directory without copying the test directory itself. The -p option preserves the file permissions.

[Jay Bollyn]

thanks both