idcopy

Idcopy is a command-line utility in Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS, used for copying files and directories. It is part of the GNU core utilities package and is designed to be a more efficient and faster alternative to the traditional cp command. Idcopy stands for "incremental copy," which means it can copy only the differences between the source and destination, making it particularly useful for backing up or synchronizing large datasets.

The primary advantage of idcopy is its ability to perform incremental backups. When used with the --link-dest option, idcopy can create hard links to files that have not changed, reducing the amount of disk space used and speeding up the backup process. This feature is especially beneficial for systems that require frequent backups of large datasets.

Idcopy supports various options and flags to customize its behavior. For example, the -a (archive) option preserves the file attributes, such as permissions and timestamps, during the copy process. The -v (verbose) option provides detailed output, showing the progress of the copy operation. Additionally, idcopy can handle symbolic links, preserve hard links, and manage file permissions and ownership.

Despite its advantages, idcopy may not be as widely used as the cp command due to its more complex syntax and specific use cases. However, for users who need efficient and incremental file copying, idcopy offers a powerful and flexible solution. It is typically invoked from the command line and requires appropriate permissions to access and modify the files and directories involved in the copy operation.