How do I copy a file?
How can you copy a file in different operating systems or programming languages? What are the best methods to duplicate a file while preserving its content? Let’s explore the easiest ways to do it!
Copying a file depends on the operating system and tools or programming languages you’re using. Here are some of the easiest ways to do it:
1. Copying a File Using the Command Line
Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell)
copy source.txt destination.txt
Works for text and binary files.
Use xcopy or robocopy for advanced options.
Linux/macOS (Terminal)
cp source.txt destination.txt
Use cp -r for directories.
cp -i prompts before overwriting.
2. Copying a File in Python
If you’re coding in Python, the shutil module makes it simple:
import shutil
shutil.copy("source.txt", "destination.txt")
Preserves the file contents but not metadata.
Use shutil.copy2() to keep metadata like timestamps.
3. Copying a File in C/C++
std::ifstream src("source.txt", std::ios::binary);
std::ofstream dest("destination.txt", std::ios::binary);
dest << src>
Uses file streams for efficient copying.
Best Practices When Copying Files
- Check if the file exists before copying.
- Use absolute paths to avoid errors.
- Handle permissions—some files require admin/root access.