install(1) General Commands Manual install(1)
NAME
install - Installs a command
SYNOPSIS
install [-sS] [-c targetdir] [-g group] [-m mode] [-u owner] file [searchdir...]
install [-osS] [-f targetdir] [-g group] [-m mode] [-u owner] file [searchdir...]
install [-g group] [-iosS] [-m mode] [-n targetdir] [-u owner] file [searchdir...]
install [-g group] [-MosS] [-m mode] [-u owner] file [searchdir...]
The install command installs file in a specific place within a file system. It is most often used in makefiles.
OPTIONS
Installs file in targetdir only if there is not already a copy there. If there is a copy of file in targetdir, the command issues a mes-
sage to that effect and exits without overwriting the file. This option can be used alone or with the -g, -m, -s, -S, or -u options.
Forces installation of file in targetdir even if a copy already exists there. If there is already a copy of file in targetdir, the command
sets the new copy's mode and owner to those of the old copy. If there is not already a copy of file in targetdir, the command sets the
mode to 755 and the owner to bin. This option can be used alone or with the -g, -m, -o, -s, -S, or -u options. Specifies a group other
than bin for the destination file. Ignores the default directory search list. Searches for the file to be installed only in the directo-
ries specified on the command line (searchdir ...). This option cannot be used with the -c, -f, or -M options. Moves file to targetdir
instead of copying it. This option cannot be used with the -c, -f, -i, or -n options. Specifies a mode other than 755 for the destination
file. Installs file in targetdir if there is no copy in any of the searched directories (searchdir ...). Sets the mode of the file to 755
and the owner to bin. This option cannot be used with the -c, -f, or -M options. Saves the old copy of file by renaming it OLDfile and
leaving it in the directory where it was found. This option cannot be used with the -c option. Specifies an owner other than bin for the
destination file. Suppresses the display of all but error messages. Causes the binary to be stripped after installation; see strip(1).
DESCRIPTION
The install command copies (or moves) file into the appropriate directory, retaining the owner and permissions of the existing copy, if
any. A newly created file has permission code 755, owner bin, and group bin. The install command writes a message telling you which files
it is replacing or creating and where they are going.
If you supply no options or search directories (searchdir ...), the install command searches the /bin, /usr/bin, /etc, /lib, and /usr/lib
directories in that order for a file with the same name as file. The command overwrites the first matching file with file and issues a
message indicating that it has done so. If no match is found, the command tells you and exits without taking further action.
If any search directories (searchdir ...) are specified on the command line, the install command searches them before it searches the
default directories.
EXAMPLES
To replace a command that already exists in one of the default directories, enter: install fixit
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the /bin, /usr/bin, /etc, /lib, or /usr/lib directory. Otherwise, the file fixit is
not installed. For example, if /usr/bin/fixit exists, then this file is replaced by a copy of the file fixit in the current direc-
tory. To replace a command that already exists in a specified or default directory while preserving the old version, enter: install
-o fixit /etc /usr/games
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the /etc or /usr/games directory, or in one of the default directories. Otherwise,
the file fixit is not installed. If the file is replaced, the old version is preserved by renaming it OLDfixit in the directory in
which it was found. To replace a command that already exists in a specified directory, enter: install -i fixit /u/judith/bin
/u/bernice/bin /usr/games
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the /u/judith/bin, /u/bernice/bin, or /usr/games directory. Otherwise, the file is
not installed. To replace a command found in a default directory, or install it in a specified directory if it is not found, enter:
install -n /usr/bin fixit
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in one of the default directories. If the file is not found, it is installed as
/usr/bin/fixit. To install a new command, enter: install -c /usr/bin fixit
This creates a new command by installing a copy of the fixit file as /usr/bin/fixit, but only if this file does not already exist.
To install a command in a specified directory whether or not it already exists, enter: install -f /usr/bin -o -s fixit
This forces the fixit file to be installed as /usr/bin/fixit whether or not /usr/bin/fixit already exists. The old version, if any,
is preserved by renaming it to /usr/bin/OLDfixit (a result of the -o option). The messages that tell where the new command was
installed are suppressed (a result of the -s option).
SEE ALSO
Commands: chgrp(1), chmod(1), chown(1), cp(1), installbsd(1), make(1), mv(1), strip(1)
install(1)