cp -X command

jdnow09 · 10-26-2009, 07:23 PM

Hello,

What is -X means?

cp -X filename location

john

GlennsPref · 10-26-2009, 07:33 PM

Hi, Just type cp --help

Quote:

glenn@GamesBox:~$ cp --help (27-10 10:30)
Usage: cp [OPTION]... [-T] SOURCE DEST
or: cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
or: cp [OPTION]... -t DIRECTORY SOURCE...
Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.
-a, --archive same as -dR --preserve=all
--backup[=CONTROL] make a backup of each existing destination file
-b like --backup but does not accept an argument
--copy-contents copy contents of special files when recursive
-d same as --no-dereference --preserve=links
-f, --force if an existing destination file cannot be
opened, remove it and try again (redundant if
the -n option is used)
-i, --interactive prompt before overwrite (overrides a previous -n
option)
-H follow command-line symbolic links in SOURCE
-l, --link link files instead of copying
-L, --dereference always follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-n, --no-clobber do not overwrite an existing file (overrides
a previous -i option)
-P, --no-dereference never follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-p same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST] preserve the specified attributes (default:
mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible
additional attributes: context, links, xattr,
all
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST don't preserve the specified attributes
--parents use full source file name under DIRECTORY
-R, -r, --recursive copy directories recursively
--remove-destination remove each existing destination file before
attempting to open it (contrast with --force)
--sparse=WHEN control creation of sparse files
--strip-trailing-slashes remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE
argument
-s, --symbolic-link make symbolic links instead of copying
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX override the usual backup suffix
-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-T, --no-target-directory treat DEST as a normal file
-u, --update copy only when the SOURCE file is newer
than the destination file or when the
destination file is missing
-v, --verbose explain what is being done
-x, --one-file-system stay on this file system
--help display this help and exit
--version output version information and exit

By default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and the
corresponding DEST file is made sparse as well. That is the behavior
selected by --sparse=auto. Specify --sparse=always to create a sparse DEST
file whenever the SOURCE file contains a long enough sequence of zero bytes.
Use --sparse=never to inhibit creation of sparse files.

The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.
The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through
the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable. Here are the values:

none, off never make backups (even if --backup is given)
numbered, t make numbered backups
existing, nil numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise
simple, never always make simple backups

As a special case, cp makes a backup of SOURCE when the force and backup
options are given and SOURCE and DEST are the same name for an existing,
regular file.

Report cp bugs to bug-coreutils@gnu.org
GNU coreutils home page: <http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>
General help using GNU software: <http://www.gnu.org/gethelp/>
Report cp translation bugs to <http://translationproject.org/team/>
glenn@GamesBox:~$ (27-10 10:31)

Cheers Glenn

jdnow09 · 10-27-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennsPref

Hi, Just type cp --help

Cheers Glenn

Glenn,

I did this before posting.

I do not see the capital -X option.

johnn

Nylex · 10-27-2009, 11:18 AM

It probably doesn't exist, then.

john test · 10-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Yea I did cp -X and it shows X as an invalid option. Thats on my Ubuntu box. Your mileage may vary.

GlennsPref · 10-27-2009, 04:08 PM

Hi, as the other posters have said, cp -X does not exist.

These tools are not Distribution specific, but rather GNU/Linux tools.

I wonder if you read that command being used as an example, where "replace X with appropriate switch" may have been assumed.

I hope this helps you.

some useful links to quick commands and tutes....
http://en.flossmanuals.net/CommandLi.../BasicCommands
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix/
http://www.computerhope.com/unix.htm

regards Glenn