copy everything in one folder to another linux code example

Example 1: copy folders linux

cp -R source_dir destination_dir
#example
cp -R /etc /etc_backup

Example 2: how to copy the files of a folder to another folder linux

cp -a /source/. /dest/

#The -a option is an improved recursive option, that preserve all file attributes, and also preserve symlinks.

#The . at end of the source path is a specific cp syntax that allow to copy all files and folders, included hidden ones.