`cp`: Copying Files

cp (copy) duplicates a file or directory. The original stays intact; you get a new copy at the destination.

Copying a file

cp notes.txt backup.txt

Both notes.txt and backup.txt now exist with identical contents.

If the destination is an existing directory, cp places the file inside it:

cp notes.txt documents/

This creates documents/notes.txt. The original /home/user/notes.txt still exists.

cp file1.txt file2.txt target-directory/

To copy an entire directory and its contents, you need the -r (recursive) flag:

cp -r documents documents-backup

Without -r, cp refuses to copy a directory.

Mistake	What happens
`cp notes.txt notes.txt`	Copies a file onto itself — usually a no-op or error
`cp dir/ file.txt`	Error: you need `-r` to copy a directory
Missing the destination	Error: missing destination operand

Copy notes.txt to a new file called backup.txt.