qcp

Copy a single file (open an editor with the source filename on the left and the target filename on the right)

$ qcp [source_file]

$ qcp [*.jpg]

$ qcp [[-o|--option]] swap [*.jpg]

qcp [OPTIONS] SOURCE... DESTINATION
or
qcp SOURCE_FILE DESTINATION_FILE
or
qcp SOURCE_DIR DESTINATION_DIR

SOURCE...
    One or more source files or directories to copy. For multiple sources, DESTINATION must be a directory.

DESTINATION
    The target directory or new name for the copied file. If multiple sources are provided, it must be an existing directory.

-r
    Recursively copy directories and their contents. This is a common default for many qcp implementations.

-v
    Enable verbose output, showing files as they are copied. Useful for monitoring progress.

-f
    Force overwrite of existing destination files without prompting. Use with caution.

-i
    Prompt before overwriting an existing destination file. Provides an interactive safeguard.

-p
    Preserve attributes such as file mode, ownership, and timestamps of the original files.

qcp is not a standard Linux command or utility distributed with major distributions. It typically refers to a custom script or a shell alias created by users or system administrators to simplify common file and directory copying operations. Often, it acts as a wrapper around the more powerful and standard cp command, or sometimes rsync, pre-configuring frequently used options like recursive copying (for directories), verbose output, or preserving file attributes. The primary goal of qcp is to reduce typing and streamline repetitive copy tasks, making it a 'quick copy' utility tailored to specific workflows. Its exact behavior, options, and capabilities are entirely dependent on how it has been implemented on a given system.

qcp is not a standard Linux command. Its existence and functionality are entirely dependent on whether a user or system administrator has created a custom script or shell alias named qcp. Therefore, it may not be available on all systems, and its behavior (including available options) will vary widely based on its specific implementation (e.g., whether it wraps cp, rsync, or something else entirely). Users should consult local documentation or the script's source code if qcp is encountered.

A qcp script is most commonly implemented as a simple shell script (e.g., Bash) or an alias.
Example Alias: alias qcp='cp -rv' (for recursive and verbose copy)
Example Script: A more complex script might parse arguments, offer different modes, or integrate with other tools like rsync for more robust error handling or progress indication.

The primary purpose of qcp is often to abstract away the complexities of cp's various options for common tasks, providing a simpler, memorable command that performs a frequently needed operation with minimal typing.

The concept of a qcp command typically arises from users or system administrators seeking to streamline their daily workflows. It's not part of any official GNU or standard Linux project history. Instead, qcp scripts are often created out of necessity, as a personal productivity enhancement, or as a convenient wrapper in specific IT environments to enforce certain copying behaviors or defaults (e.g., always recursive, always verbose). Its "development" is therefore decentralized and specific to individual system setups.

cp(1), rsync(1), mv(1), scp(1)