cp by date

steinz · 09-26-2006, 11:03 AM

Hi,

I have many files in a directory all starting with the same string. I want to copy only the most recent 3 files to another directory. Can this be done on the command line using cp?

Thanks

druuna · 09-26-2006, 11:09 AM

Hi,

This: ls -tr <firstpartoffile>* | tail -3 gives you the most recent 3 files.

cp `ls -tr <firstpartoffile>* | tail -3` DIRECTORY copies these 3 files to DIRECTORY.

Hope this helps.

steinz · 09-26-2006, 11:16 AM

yes that helps alot. Thanks so much.

Randy