NAME
    cp - copy files and directories

SYNOPSIS
    cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST
    cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
    cp [OPTION]... --target-directory=DIRECTORY SOURCE...

DESCRIPTION
    Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

    Mandatory arguments to  long options are mandatory for short options
    too.

    -a, --archive
    same as -dpR

    --backup[=CONTROL]
    make a backup of each existing destination file

    -b   like --backup but does not accept an argument

    --copy-contents
    copy contents of special files when recursive

    -d   same as --no-dereference --preserve=link

    --no-dereference
    never follow symbolic links

    -f, --force
    if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and
    try again

    -i, --interactive
    prompt before overwrite

    -H   follow command-line symbolic links

    -l, --link
    link files instead of copying

    -L, --dereference
    always follow symbolic links

    -p   same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps

    --preserve[=ATTR_LIST]
    preserve  the  specified  attributes (default: mode,owner-
    ship,timestamps), if possible additional attributes: links, all

    --no-preserve=ATTR_LIST
    don't preserve the specified attributes

    --parents
    append source path to DIRECTORY

    -P   same as `--no-dereference'

    -R, -r, --recursive
    copy directories recursively

    --remove-destination
    remove each existing destination file before attempting to open
    it (contrast with --force)

    --reply={yes,no,query}
    specify how to handle the prompt about an existing destination
    file

    --sparse=WHEN
    control creation of sparse files

    --strip-trailing-slashes remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE
    argument

    -s, --symbolic-link
    make symbolic links instead of copying

    -S, --suffix=SUFFIX
    override the usual backup suffix

    --target-directory=DIRECTORY
    move all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY

    -u, --update
    copy only when the SOURCE file is  newer than the destination
    file or when the destination file is missing

    -v, --verbose
    explain what is being done

    -x, --one-file-system
    stay on this file system

    --help display this help and exit

    --version
    output version information and exit

    By default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and
    the corresponding DEST file is made sparse as well. That is the behav-
    ior selected by --sparse=auto.  Specify --sparse=always to create a
    sparse DEST file whenever the SOURCE file contains a long enough
    sequence  of zero bytes.  Use  --sparse=never to inhibit creation of
    sparse files.

    The backup suffix is `~', unless set with  --suffix  or  SIM-
    PLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.  The version control method may be selected via the
    --backup option or through the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.
    Here are the values:

    none, off
    never make backups (even if --backup is given)

    numbered, t
    make numbered backups

    existing, nil
    numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise

    simple, never
    always make simple backups

    As a special case, cp makes  a backup of SOURCE when the force and
    backup options are given and SOURCE and DEST are the same name for an
    existing, regular file.

AUTHOR
    Written by Torbjorn Granlund, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.

REPORTING BUGS
    Report bugs to <bug-coreutils@gnu.org>.

COPYRIGHT
    Copyright (C) 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
    This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is
    NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR  A PARTICULAR
    PURPOSE.

SEE ALSO
    The full documentation  for cp is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If
    the info and cp programs are properly installed at your site, the com-
    mand

    info cp

    should give you access to the complete manual.