I'm not sure whether you want to copy the directory and its contents, or just its contents. But here's a script to get you started. It addresses both cases.
The directory "thisdir" has a file in it, but "thatdir" is an empty directory
This script, copy.sh, takes one parameter, $1. The 1st copy will copy just the contents of thisdir, not the directory structure itself. The 2nd copy copies the entire thisdir directory--with its contents-- to thatdir.
Here's the copy.sh script
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#copy the contents of -thisdir- to -thatdir-
cp -t $1 thisdir/*.*
#copy the directory -thisdir- into -thatdir
cp -r thisdir $1
echo "the contents of -thisdir- and the directory now in -$1-"
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After creating it, invoke copy.sh by keying in;
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./copy.sh thatdir
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I'm using "thatdir" as the parameter, but you can create/use your own directories.
Note that you have to enable the execution of copy.sh with
chmod +x copy.sh
Here are some links you might find useful:
Linux Commands
Shell Script Beginners Handbook
Bash Scripting Tutorial
Hope this helps. It's always tough for a newbie.