can cp copy all files include symlink

QWE123 · 03-11-2017, 06:37 AM

I have a folder , there are many files and symlink under it , I would like to use the command "cp" to backup all these files ( not only the local files , also want to backup the files of the symlink , not just the symlink itself ) , can cp do that ?

I know other command eg. tar can do that , but just want to check if "cp" can do also .

Thanks

smallpond · 03-11-2017, 07:10 AM

You should learn about the "man" and "info" commands.

QWE123 · 03-11-2017, 08:20 AM

just would like to confirm if I use cp -R , it just copy the symlink but not the files ?

thanks

TB0ne · 03-11-2017, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QWE123

just would like to confirm if I use cp -R , it just copy the symlink but not the files ?

You do realize you could have just tried it and found out, faster than you could have posted here, right? Very simple to test..create a symlink, and try to copy it.

And as smallpond suggested, look into the man pages.

ondoho · 03-11-2017, 01:53 PM

just in case this isn't understood:
open a terminal and enter

Code:

man cp

=> instant benefit!