Linux how to copy but not overwrite?

🐧 Linux How to Copy But Not Overwrite? 📂🚫❌

Copy-pasting files in Linux seems like a straightforward task, but what if you want to copy a directory without overwriting any existing files, even if they are older than the copied files? 🤔

Fear not! In this blog post, we will explore some easy solutions to this common problem and help you achieve your file-copying goals. Let's get started! 🚀

The Challenge 💥

You want to use the cp command to copy a directory, but you don't want to overwrite any existing files, regardless of their age. Additionally, you need the process to be noninteractive since it will be a part of a Crontab Bash script. Sounds tricky, right? 😓

Solution 1: Using the --no-clobber Option 🚫🔁

One way to accomplish this task is by using the --no-clobber option with the cp command. This option prevents existing files from being overwritten, preserving your precious data. 💪

Here's how you can do it:

cp --no-clobber -R source_directory destination_directory

The -R flag allows the cp command to copy directories recursively. Replace source_directory with the directory you want to copy and destination_directory with the location where you want to paste the files. Easy as pie! 🍰

Solution 2: Using the -u Option for Updating Files ⬆️

If you only want to copy files that are newer than the existing ones, you can use the -u option. This will update the files in the destination directory only if they are older or non-existent. ✨

To do this, run the following command:

cp -u -R source_directory destination_directory

Replace source_directory and destination_directory as mentioned before, and voila! You have successfully copied your files without overwriting any existing ones. 🎉

Solution 3: Putting It All Together with a Noninteractive Bash Script 📜🤖

As mentioned earlier, you need the process to be noninteractive since it will be executed within a Crontab Bash script. Let's see how you can combine the previous solutions into a seamless script. 😉

#!/bin/bash
cp --no-clobber -u -R source_directory destination_directory

Make sure to replace source_directory and destination_directory with the appropriate paths. Save the script, give it executable permissions (chmod +x script_name.sh), and let it work its magic with your scheduled tasks! 🕒✨

Your Turn to Shine! ✨

Now that you know how to copy directories in Linux without overwriting existing files, it's time to put your newfound knowledge into action! 🚀

Do you have any other techniques or tricks related to file copying in Linux? Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the comments below. Let's learn from each other! 🤝💡

Until next time, happy file-copying! 📂✌️