Copy, Move, and Delete Files and Directories

Linux provides powerful commands to manage files and directories. Here are the most commonly used commands for copying, moving, and deleting files. These commands are essential for file management in any Linux distribution, including Red Hat.

Copy Files and Directories

Command: cp

Copy a file


cp source.txt destination.txt

Copies source.txt to destination.txt.

Copy to another directory


cp source.txt /path/to/dir/

Copy multiple files


cp file1.txt file2.txt /path/to/dir/

Copy a directory recursively


cp -r sourcedir/ targetdir/

-r or --recursive: required to copy directories.

Useful flags

-v – Verbose, shows files being copied.
-u – Copy only when the source file is newer than the destination.
-i – Prompt before overwrite.

Move (Rename) Files and Directories

Command: mv

Move a file


mv file.txt /path/to/destination/

Rename a file


mv oldname.txt newname.txt

Move a directory


mv mydir/ /new/location/

Useful flags

-v – Verbose output.
-i – Prompt before overwrite.

Note: mv can also move files across filesystems.

Delete Files and Directories

Command: rm (remove)

Delete a file


rm file.txt

Delete multiple files


rm file1.txt file2.txt

Delete an empty directory


rmdir mydir/

Only works for empty directories.

Delete a directory and contents recursively


rm -r mydir/

Force delete (no prompt)


rm -rf mydir/

Useful flags

-r – Recursive (required for directories).
-f – Force deletion (no confirmation).
-i – Prompt before each file removal.
-v – Verbose output.

Examples


cp -r docs/ backup_docs/             # Copy entire directory
mv report.txt reports/               # Move file to another folder
mv draft.txt final.txt               # Rename a file
rm old.txt                           # Delete a file
rm -rf temp/                         # Delete a directory with all contents