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

The Difference Between "mv" and "cp" Commands in Linux

In the Linux operating system, the mv (move) and cp (copy) commands are two of the most commonly used file management commands. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are some key differences between the two that are important to understand.

The mv Command

The mv command is used to move or rename files and directories in the Linux file system. When you use the mv command, the file or directory is physically relocated from one location to another. The original file or directory is removed from its original location and placed in the new location.

Here's an example of how to use the mv command:

mv /path/to/file.txt /new/path/file.txt

In this example, the file file.txt is moved from the /path/to/ directory to the /new/path/ directory.

The cp Command

The cp command, on the other hand, is used to create a copy of a file or directory. When you use the cp command, a new copy of the file or directory is created in the specified location, while the original file or directory remains in its original location.

Here's an example of how to use the cp command:

cp /path/to/file.txt /new/path/file_copy.txt

In this example, a copy of the file file.txt is created in the /new/path/ directory, with the new filename file_copy.txt.

Key Differences

The main differences between the mv and cp commands are:

1. File/Directory Relocation: The mv command physically moves the file or directory from one location to another, while the cp command creates a new copy of the file or directory in the specified location.

2. Original File/Directory: When using mv, the original file or directory is removed from its original location. When using cp, the original file or directory remains in its original location.

3. Disk Space Usage: The mv command does not take up any additional disk space, as it simply relocates the file or directory. The cp command, however, creates a new copy of the file or directory, which takes up additional disk space.

4. Metadata Preservation: When using mv, the file or directory's metadata (such as creation and modification timestamps) is preserved. When using cp, the metadata of the new copy may differ from the original.

Here's a Mermaid diagram to visualize the differences between the mv and cp commands:

In summary, the mv command is used to move or rename files and directories, while the cp command is used to create copies of files and directories. Understanding the differences between these two commands is essential for effectively managing files and directories in the Linux operating system.