paxcpio - copy file archives in and out

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SYNOPSIS

AVAILABILITY

paxcpio is available with the System V software installation option. Refer to [a manual with the abbreviation INSTALL] for information on how to install optional software.

DESCRIPTION

paxcpio produces and reads files in the format specified by the cpio Archive/Interchange File Format specified in IEEE Std. 1003.1-1988.

When specified with the -i argument, paxcpio extracts files from the standard input, which is assumed to be the product of a previous `paxcpio -o'. Only files with names that match pattern are selected. pattern is a simple regular expression given in the name-generating notation of the shell. Multiple patterns may be specified, and if no pattern is specified, the default is `*', selecting all files. The extracted files are conditionally created and copied into the current directory, and possibly any levels below, based upon the options specified. The permissions of the files will be those of the previous `paxcpio -o'. The owner and group of the files will be that of the current user unless the user has appropriate privileges, in which case paxcpio retains the owner and group of the files of the previous `paxcpio -o'.

When specified with the -p argument, paxcpio reads the standard input to obtain a list of files that are conditionally created and copied into the destination directory based upon the options described below.

If an error is detected, the cause is reported and paxcpio continues to copy other files. paxcpio will skip over any unrecognized files that it encounters in the archive.

The following restrictions apply to paxcpio:

• Pathnames are restricted to 256 characters.
• Appropriate privileges are required to copy special files.
• Blocks are reported in 512-byte quantities.

OPTIONS

-a

Reset access times of input files after they have been copied. When the -l option is also specified, the linked files do not have their access times reset. Can only be used with the -i or -o arguments.

-B

Input/output is to be blocked 5120 bytes to the record. Can only be used with the -i or -o arguments for data that is directed to or from character special files.

-c

Write header information in ASCII character for for portability. Can only be used with the -i or -o arguments. Note: this option should always be used to write portable files.

-d

Create directories as needed. Can only be used with the -i or -p arguments.

-f

Copy in all files except those in patterns. Can only be used with the -i argument.

-l

Whenever possible, link files rather than copying them. Can only be used with the -p argument.

-m

Retain previous modification times. This option is ineffective on directories that are being copied. Can only be used with the -i or -p arguments.

-r

Interactively rename files. The user is asked whether to rename pattern each invocation. Read and write permissions for /dev/tty are required for this option. If the user types a null line, the file is skipped. Should only be used with the -i or -o arguments.

-t

Print a table of contents of the input. No files are created. Can only be used with the -i argument.

-u

Copy files unconditionally; usually an older file will not replace a new file with the same name. Can only be used with the -i or -p arguments.

-v

Verbose. Print the names of the affected files. Can only be used with the -i argument. Provides a detailed listing when used with the -t option.

EXAMPLES

The following command:

ls | paxcpio -o > ../newfile

copies out the files listed by ls.1v and redirects them to the file newfile.

The following command:

cat newfile | paxcpio -id "memo/al" "memo/b*"

uses the output file newfile from paxcpio -o, takes those files that match the patterns "memo/al" and "memo/b*", creates the directories below the current directory, and places the files in the appropriate directories.

The command:

find . -depth -print | paxcpio -pdlmv newdir

takes the file names piped to it from find.1 and copies or links those files to another directory named newdir, while retaining the modification time.

EXIT CODES

paxcpio exits with one of the following values:

0

All input files were copied.

2

paxcpio encountered errors in copying or accessing files or directories. An error will be reported for nonexistent files or directories, or permissions that do not allow the user to access the source or target files.

FILES

/dev/tty

used to prompt the user for information when the -i or -r options are specified

SEE ALSO

IEEE Std. 1003.1-1988

NOTES

It is important to use the -depth option of find.1 to generate pathnames for paxcpio. This eliminates problems paxcpio could have trying to create files under read-only directories.

AUTHOR

Mark H. Colburn
NAPS International
117 Mackubin Street, Suite 1
St. Paul, MN 55102

Sponsored by The USENIX Association for public distribution.

Created by unroff & hp-tools. © somebody (See intro for details). All Rights Reserved. Last modified 11/5/97