Note that when using the cp command, you must always specify both the source and destination of the file(s) to be copied.

This command copies your ".profile" to a file named ".profile.bak".

cp /usr/fred/Chapter1 .

This command copies the file named "Chapter1" in the "/usr/fred" directory to the current directory. This example assumes that you have write permission in the current directory.

cp /usr/fred/Chapter1 /usr/mary

This command copies the "Chapter1" file in "/usr/fred" to the directory named "/usr/mary". This example assumes that you have write permission in the "/usr/mary" directory.