Skip duplicate files with copy (cp)

[tomchilton]

Hi,

I am trying to copy a load of files from an old computer to my Gentoo box. Over a wireless (b) network this has been slightly flakey but I'm pretty much there.
What I would like to do now is run the copy command again, but have it automatically skip the files that already exist. Thus far I have been using the -i interactive switch but then I have to press enter to skip each duplicate.

Can anyone suggest an elegant alternative?

Thanks
Tom

[sdimhoff]

This isn't as elegant as I think you are looking for, but could you use the update flag?

cp -u

--update
copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination
file or when the destination file is missing


You would have to be a bit careful just because it just looks at the timestamp, but will at least you won't have to sit in front of the terminal and babysit the copy.


----

I also found this but have never used it. However, it may be what you are looking for.

`--reply=HOW'
*Deprecated: to be removed in 2008.*
Using `--reply=yes' makes `cp' act as if `yes' were given as a
response to every prompt about a destination file. That
effectively cancels any preceding `--interactive' or `-i' option.
Specify `--reply=no' to make `cp' act as if `no' were given as a
response to every prompt about a destination file. Specify
`--reply=query' to make `cp' prompt the user about each existing
destination file.


What you would do (I think) is do cp -i --reply=no

That way, it will ask if you want to overwrite the file and automatically say "no." Check your version and give it a test run as this option will be removed very soon!

[tomchilton]

hi,

That's really useful thanks. I had thought of the update option, but it hadn't worked for me in the past. I now realise my clock was set wrong so in the future that should work just fine.
seems like a shame to get rid of the --reply option as this was maybe more appropriate for my needs as I was copying music and so am not really bothered by the date stamp.

Cheers
tom