[SOLVED] Stupid bash question (cp command)

r6 · 2010-08-31 05:10:12

I accidentally copied a file using * as the destination, like this:

cp /path/to/file *

There was no error so it must have done something but I can't figure out what.

Can anyone tell me what that command does, thanks.

Last edited by r6 (2010-08-31 07:15:29)

fsckd · 2010-08-31 05:18:02

* is expanded to all the files in your current directory except for ones beginning with a dot.

cp with multiple (n) files listed will copy the first n-1 files to the nth file which should be a directory.

In the future use the -i option to avoid mistakes like this.

Last edited by fsckd (2010-08-31 05:19:43)

r6 · 2010-08-31 05:34:06

OK, I see that now. It copied everything into the last file (directory) in the list. Interesting, thanks.

quigybo · 2010-08-31 07:01:31

Hehe getting used to the terminal in the beginning can be fun, you are bound to make some mistakes - I still do at times

In the mean time adding these to your .bashrc could be ~~helpful~~ safer:

alias mv="mv -i"
alias cp="cp -i"
alias rm="rm -i"

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