copyall

COPYALL is a command-line utility primarily used in Unix-like operating systems to recursively copy files and directories from one location to another. It is often employed as an alternative to the standard `cp` command when dealing with large numbers of files or complex directory structures. The tool is particularly useful in scripting environments where automation and efficiency are key.

The command typically follows a straightforward syntax, allowing users to specify the source directory and the destination directory. For example, `copyall source_directory destination_directory` would copy all files and subdirectories from `source_directory` into `destination_directory`. Unlike the `cp` command, COPYALL often includes additional features such as progress indicators, error handling, and the ability to preserve file attributes like timestamps and permissions.

COPYALL is not a built-in command in most Unix systems but is often provided as part of third-party software packages or can be implemented as a custom script. Some distributions may include it as part of utility collections like GNU Core Utilities or as a standalone tool. Its availability can vary depending on the system configuration.

While COPYALL shares similarities with other recursive copy utilities, its design may prioritize specific functionalities such as parallel processing or logging for better performance in large-scale operations. Users should consult the documentation provided with their particular implementation for detailed usage instructions, as syntax and features can vary.

The tool is commonly used in batch processing tasks, system backups, and data migrations where reliability and ease of use are important. However, like any command-line utility, it requires careful handling to avoid unintended data overwrites or corruption.