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Problem with cp (copy)
From: |
Mr. Phillip Kimble |
Subject: |
Problem with cp (copy) |
Date: |
Tue, 21 Jan 2003 18:45:50 -0600 |
Greetings,
I recently stumbled across a strange problem using cp which I do not
understand. Here is the scenario;
I desire to copy backup files in original format from one directory to
another. The source directory is layered and comprised of several
sub-directories based upon date;
01.01.01 = Jan 1, 2001
12.31.01 = Dec 31, 2001
Now, the intent is to not copy the directory structures but to mass all
files for a single month into a single directory, /home/user/admin/tamp/
Easy enough? The original command I used was
Cp -far /home/ftp/tmp/2001/01.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
All worked well for 01, 02, 03, 04, (Jan, Feb, Mar, & Apr). Once I
entered 05.*.01, I received the error, "Argument list is too long".
Actual command,
Cp -fa /home/ftp/tmp/2001/05.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
Now understand, the command worked perfectly as;
Cp -fa /home/ftp/tmp/2001/01.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
Cp -fa /home/ftp/tmp/2001/02.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
Cp -fa /home/ftp/tmp/2001/03.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
Cp -fa /home/ftp/tmp/2001/04.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
But once I changed the month to 05, it stopped and gave me the "Argument
list is too long" error. I ask, what is the difference between 04 and 05
in length?
I made /home/ftp/tmp/2001 as my current directory and adjusted the
argument to;
Cp -fa ./05.*.01/* /home/user/admin/tmp/
To shorten the argument list. No good, same error! If I remove the *
from the argument, it copies the files and directories just fine with no
errors. But this does not save time or effort, as I still have to mv the
files into the parent directory once copied.
Additionally, I am using Slackware Linux 8.1 with fileutils-4.1-i386 on
a Compaq Proliant 1850R server. I find this to be strange and have no
clue as to what to do to fix it.
Gratefully
Phil
- Problem with cp (copy),
Mr. Phillip Kimble <=
Re: Problem with cp (copy), Alfred M. Szmidt, 2003/01/22