[Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

haxit · 2009-01-08 22:00:42

Is there a way i can copy with cp that if a file exists, it won't even copy that file.

Last edited by haxit (2009-01-08 23:30:48)

daf666 · 2009-01-08 22:23:07

here:

yes n | cp -i src dest

edit: loool too late

Last edited by daf666 (2009-01-08 22:27:52)

haxit · 2009-01-08 22:23:54

Bash script was my last option I guess that is what I might have to do.

Last edited by haxit (2009-01-08 22:24:57)

Nezmer · 2009-01-08 22:24:44

-- Edit --
Solution already mentioned .

'cp -i' or 'cp --interactive' should warn you before any overwrite .
For details :
man cp

Last edited by Nezmer (2009-01-08 22:26:42)

weasel8 · 2009-01-08 22:26:18

I assume you've already done man cp -- if the answer's not there, it may end up being a little more complex, like writing a little shell script or something.

You might try cp -i, which runs it interactively. So you get "cp: overwrite `<file>'?" for every file that's already in the target directory, but depending on how many files you have, that could get cumbersome.

EDIT: Wow, there were a ton of responses while I was typing this.

Last edited by weasel8 (2009-01-08 23:04:13)

Procyon · 2009-01-08 22:26:46

yes n | cp -i

haxit · 2009-01-08 22:27:12

I will write up a bash script comparing files in current directory and directory i want to copy to. No biggie

finferflu · 2009-01-08 22:29:08

Not sure, but check the "u" option.

Procyon · 2009-01-08 22:32:40

finferflu wrote:

Not sure, but check the "u" option.

Here is an example: So it depends on the situation if it's usable.

$ echo AA > a
$ echo BB > b
$ cp -u a b
$ cat a b
: AA
: BB
$ echo BB > b
$ echo AA > a
$ cp -u a b
$ cat a b
: AA
: AA

haxit · 2009-01-08 22:52:06

finferflu wrote:

Not sure, but check the "u" option.

I think that is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks a lot. I didn't go THAT far down the man page

Arch Linux

#1 2009-01-08 22:00:42

[Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#2 2009-01-08 22:23:07

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#3 2009-01-08 22:23:54

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#4 2009-01-08 22:24:44

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#5 2009-01-08 22:26:18

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#6 2009-01-08 22:26:46

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#7 2009-01-08 22:27:12

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#8 2009-01-08 22:29:08

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#9 2009-01-08 22:32:40

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

#10 2009-01-08 22:52:06

Re: [Solved] cp - If file exist, don't copy that file

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