What is the difference between cp, mv and rm commands in Linux?

The Differences between cp, mv, and rm Commands in Linux

In the Linux operating system, the cp, mv, and rm commands are essential tools for managing files and directories. Each of these commands serves a specific purpose, and understanding the differences between them is crucial for effective file management. Let's explore the key differences between these three commands:

1. cp (Copy) Command

The cp command is used to create a copy of a file or directory. When you run the cp command, it creates a new file or directory with the same content as the original, but with a different name or location. The original file or directory remains unchanged.

Example:

# Copy a file
cp file1.txt file2.txt

# Copy a directory
cp -r directory1 directory2

The -r (recursive) option is used to copy a directory and its contents.

2. mv (Move) Command

The mv command is used to move a file or directory from one location to another. When you run the mv command, the original file or directory is removed from its original location and placed in the new location. This is different from the cp command, which creates a copy of the file or directory.

Example:

# Move a file
mv file1.txt /path/to/new/location/file1.txt

# Move a directory
mv directory1 /path/to/new/location/

3. rm (Remove) Command

The rm command is used to delete files or directories. When you run the rm command, the specified file or directory is permanently removed from the system. Unlike the cp and mv commands, the rm command does not create or move files or directories; it simply deletes them.

Example:

# Remove a file
rm file1.txt

# Remove a directory (with the -r option)
rm -r directory1

The -r (recursive) option is used to remove a directory and its contents.

Visualizing the Differences

To help visualize the differences between these commands, let's use a Mermaid diagram:

This diagram illustrates the different outcomes of using the cp, mv, and rm commands. The cp command creates a copy of the original file or directory, the mv command moves the original to a new location, and the rm command permanently deletes the original.

In summary, the cp command creates a copy of a file or directory, the mv command moves a file or directory to a new location, and the rm command permanently removes a file or directory. Understanding these differences is crucial for effectively managing files and directories in a Linux environment.