cp command

The cp command is used to copy a source file to a target file, or a source file to a target directory.

cp source.txt target.txt

This copies the source file source.txt to the target file target.txt

cp source.txt /path/to/directory/

This copies the source file source.txt to the target directory, keeping the same filename

Common useful flags include:

• -r or -R: Recursively copy directories
• -i: Interactive mode (prompts before overwriting)
• -v: Verbose mode (shows what’s being copied)
• -p: Preserve permissions, ownership, and timestamps