How To Copy Folder Contents to Another Directory with Terminal

In this article, we will delve into the details of how to copy folder contents to another directory using the terminal. This is a common task that you may need to perform as a system administrator or a regular user who prefers the command line over the graphical interface. We will cover the use of cp and rsync commands, including their parameters and what they do.

Understanding the Terminal

The terminal, also known as the command line or shell, is a powerful tool that allows you to control your computer using text commands. It is especially useful for tasks that involve manipulating files and directories, such as copying, moving, and deleting files.

The cp Command

The cp command is used to copy files and directories. Here’s how you can use it to copy folder contents to another directory:

cp -a /source/. /destination/

Let’s break down this command:

• cp is the command for copying files and directories.
• -a is an option that tells cp to copy files and directories recursively, while preserving all file attributes (such as permissions and timestamps), and to copy symbolic links as links rather than as the files they point to.
• /source/. is the directory you want to copy from. The trailing . is important because it specifies that you want to copy all files and directories, including hidden ones, from the source directory.
• /destination/ is the directory you want to copy to.

The rsync Command

The rsync command is another tool for copying files and directories. It has some advantages over cp, such as the ability to only copy files that have changed after the initial sync, which makes it more efficient for subsequent copies. Here’s how you can use it:

rsync -av source/ destination

This command breaks down as follows:

• rsync is the command for synchronizing files and directories.
• -av is a combination of options. The -a option is for ‘archive’, which preserves permissions, links, file times, and other metadata. The -v option is for ‘verbose’, which makes rsync print more information about what it’s doing.
• source/ is the directory you want to copy from.
• destination is the directory you want to copy to.

Conclusion

Copying folder contents to another directory using the terminal is a straightforward task once you understand the cp and rsync commands. These commands offer powerful and flexible ways to manage files and directories, making them essential tools for any system administrator or power user.

Remember to replace /source and /destination with the actual paths of the folders you want to copy from and to. For more information and options, you can refer to the manual pages (man cp or man rsync) or visit the GNU Coreutils Manual and the rsync homepage.