cp command prompts on overwrite even with -f

Question

I am trying to copy all newer jpgs from one folder to another using the following command

cp -u --force /home/oldfolder/*.jpg /home/newfolder/

and I get the following promt:

cp: overwrite `/home/newfolder/4095-181.jpg'?

The '-u' I know is working fine as is it only prompting me on the newer files, but i dont want to get the prompt i just want it to overwrite them. I have tried --force and -f

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

score 36 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 16 '09 at 11:46

36

Maybe your cp command is an alias? Try:

\cp -uf file folder/

answered Jul 16 '09 at 11:46

ko-dos

1,359
8
10

score 18 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 16 '09 at 11:49

18

yes | cp <whatever else>

answered Jul 16 '09 at 11:49

robjmills

990
8
24

2

Cheers, that worked, so i didn't have to enter yes everytime but I still got the promt – icelizard Jul 16 '09 at 11:53

score 9 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 16 '09 at 12:31

9

Type "type cp" to see where it points, or if it is aliased.

answered Jul 16 '09 at 12:31

1

Had the same problem. Entering `type cp` revealed that `cp` was an alias for `cp -i`, and obviously `-i` (interactive) takes precedence over `-f` (force). – Peter Boughton Dec 15 '10 at 19:51

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 23 '15 at 13:04

2

Use full path to cp , it will override the alias

/usr/bin/cp -u --force /home/oldfolder/*.jpg /home/newfolder/

answered Jul 23 '15 at 13:04

Mick

31
1

cp command prompts on overwrite even with -f

4 Answers4