Re: missing feature in cp

[Jim Meyering]

Michael Meß <address@hidden> wrote:
> I would like to copy files with cp and never overwrite existing files.
>
> I can use cp -i, but I don't want to say 'n' 1000 times (because there
> is no "No for all" option) or I just want to do that in a batch file,
> where I cannot give any answers to questions.

In recent test releases of the fileutils there is an option
to do just what you want:

      --reply={yes,no,query}   specify how to handle the prompt about an
                                 existing destination file

The latest is here:
  ftp://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/fetish/fileutils-4.1.8.tar.gz