How to Copy a Directory Linux

You can use the cp -r command with the option to copy a directory in Linux. Copying directories is crucial in the Linux operating system for creating backups, revamping the filesystem structure, and transferring data between different locations. The -r option stands for “recursive,” meaning it will copy the directory and all its contents, including subdirectories.

Here are the steps to copy a directory in Linux:

Use the cp -r Command

Step 1 – Open your terminal.

Open your terminal, either connect to the server via SSH, via the console, or bash shell

Step 2 – Use the cp -r command to copy a directory

Type the following command and press Enter

cp -r /path/to/source/directory /path/to/destination/directory

Replace /path/to/source/directory with the path to the directory you want to copy and /path/to/destination/directory with the path to the location where you want to copy the directory.

Press Enter.

The cp command will copy the directory and all of its contents to the destination directory. This command is used for copying files and directories. If the destination directory does not exist, it will be created. The destination folder is the location where the directory and its contents will be copied.

Use Rsync for copying directories

One alternative method for copying directories is to use the rsync command, which is a powerful tool for syncing and transferring files between directories or systems. Rsync can efficiently copy directories by utilizing its advanced features and options.

Here are the steps to copy a directory using rsync:

Step 1 – Open your terminal.

Open your terminal, either connect to the server via SSH, via the console, or bash shell

Step 2 – Use the rsync command to copy a directory including hidden files

Type the following command and press Enter:

rsync -av /path/to/source/directory/ /path/to/destination/directory/

Replace /path/to/source/directory/ with the path to the directory you want to copy and /path/to/destination/directory/ with the path to the location where you want to copy the directory.Note the use of the trailing slashes after the directory paths. This tells rsync Copy the source directory’s contents to the destination directory, rather than creating a new directory within the destination directory.

Press Enter.

The rsync command will copy the directory and all of its contents to the destination directory. This copying process is efficient and reliable. Unlike the cp command, rsync also provides options for incremental copying, partial transfers, and resuming interrupted transfers, which can be useful for large or complex directory structures. To copy multiple directories using rsync, you can specify each source directory separated by a space, followed by the destination directory.

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