btw: u have to remove the target dir /a/c (by typing cd /a and rm -fr c) and then "p -r /a/b /a/c" (watch the missing trailing /) the copy all files (include hidden ones) within b to the new dir c. - siehe auch hardcoder-board
CP(1) User Commands CP(1)
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,ownership,time-
stamps), 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 © 2004 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 coreutils cp programs are properly installed at your site,
the command
info coreutils cp
should give you access to the complete manual.
cp (coreutils) 5.2.1 July 2004 CP(1)