UNIX command line help needed on the "cp" command

[haganxy]

i need help with the "cp" command.

UNIX-based and UNIX-like systems will automatically OVERWRITE a file in the destination location from the source location IF the file is the same name.

is there a way for me to do something like this?

OVERWRITE the destination file ONLY IF the size of the source file and the size of the destination file are different. if the sizes are the same, don't overwrite and move on.

anyone know? can anyone help?

[gaybucks_chip]

The -u switch is the closest I know of....

-u, --update
copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination
file or when the destination file is missing


If that doesn't work, you might have to write a little script that will test for the variables you spoke of.

[haganxy]

The -u switch is the closest I know of....

-u, --update
copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination
file or when the destination file is missing


If that doesn't work, you might have to write a little script that will test for the variables you spoke of.

thanks for the info, chip. i ended up using the -u option