LinuxQuestions.org - Copy an entire folder tree

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Copy an entire folder tree

Hi,

I am trying to use the cp command to copy some files around but want to preserve the entire folder structure. Example:

cp /folder1/folder2/file /backup

Then within the /backup location I want to see /backup/folder1/folder2/file.

I have tried cp -a and cp -p but neither give me the above.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Hi,

Is this what you are looking for?

cp --parents /folder1/folder2/file /backup

Hope this helps.

Thanks Druuna that works perfectly :)

However, when I now run that in the following script I get 'cp: omitting directory' errors:

Code:

NAGIOS_FILES="/usr/local/nagios/etc/nagios.cfg \

                /usr/local/nagios/etc/cgi.cfg \

                /usr/local/nagios/etc/resource.cfg \

                /usr/local/nagios/etc/htpasswd.users \

                /usr/local/nagios/libexec/"

NAGVIS_FILES="/etc/php.ini \

                /usr/local/nagvis/etc/maps/ \

                /usr/local/nagvis/share/userfiles/"

mkdir $BACKUP_TEMP

cp --parents $NAGIOS_FILES $BACKUP_TEMP

cp --parents $NAGVIS_FILES $BACKUP_TEMP

I assume it is because of the way I put putting multiple locations within the variables to be copied but am not sure.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshankland (Post 4111133)

cp --parents $NAGIOS_FILES $BACKUP_TEMP
cp --parents $NAGVIS_FILES $BACKUP_TEMP

May be you have to include -r switch with --parents