command to copy hidden files?

[Les Mikesell]

Les wrote:
>>> I've tried to copy files from my home folder to do a disk upgrade. I
>>> foolishly only copied the visible (non-dot) files. Now I'd like to copy
>>> only the . files (recursively) but don't see what the syntax is. Anyone?
>>>       
>> In case the filenames of the dot files have a length of 3 or more you can use:
>>
>> cp .??* target
>>
>>     
> Wouldn't TAR manage this better? or perhaps dd?
>   

Let cp's recursion handle it if you want the whole directory:

cd targetdir
cp -av . destdir

or
rsync -av . destdir

The later can be repeated quickly, taking only the changes since the 
last run.

-- 
  Les Mikesell
   lesmikesell at gmail.com