putting restrictions when copying file

thoffpauir · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2002

I would like to create a command to copy a file with a restriction- if the file exists at the copy destination, the copy does not occur and message is provided that file already exists.

Kelam_Magnus · #2 (**permalink**) 04-11-2002

You need to create a script that tests for the file to exist and gives you the option to overwrite or not.

do a man on the test command. That should help you.

Use an "if then else" structure to create it.

if <file exists>
then < YES, file exists copy denied>
else < NO, copy new file to direcotry>
fi

LivinFree · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-2002

If it's interactive, you may be able to use "cp -i here /tmp/there"
It will prompt you before overwriting.

Kelam_Magnus · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2002

I don't know what I was thinking. I was distracted by a problem that I was having on a system at work.

Yes, of course, cp -i.

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