Using Bash Globbing with Different Extensions

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 59 views

Introduction

When working on large projects, duplicating source and header files can be a tedious task. Instead of manually copying each file, you can use a simple bash command to duplicate both source and header files simultaneously. In this article, we will explore how to achieve this using bash.

Using Bash Globbing

Bash provides a feature called globbing, which allows you to match multiple files using patterns. We can use globbing to duplicate both source and header files simultaneously.

cp *.cpp *.h

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and all files with the .h extension to the same directory. However, this will not create new files with the same name but with a different extension. Instead, it will overwrite the existing files with the same name.

Using Bash Globbing with Different Extensions

If you want to create new files with the same name but with a different extension, you can use the following command:

cp *.cpp bar_*.h

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and rename them to have the .h extension with the prefix bar_.

Using Bash Globbing with Multiple Extensions

If you want to duplicate multiple extensions simultaneously, you can use the following command:

cp *.cpp *.h *.c

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension, all files with the .h extension, and all files with the .c extension to the same directory.

Using Bash Globbing with Wildcards

You can also use wildcards to match multiple extensions. For example:

cp *.cpp *.h *.c
cp *.cpp *.hpp

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension, all files with the .h extension, and all files with the .c extension to the same directory. The second command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and all files with the .hpp extension.

Using Bash Globbing with Regular Expressions

Bash also supports regular expressions, which can be used to match complex patterns. For example:

cp *.cpp
cp *.h
cp *.c

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension, all files with the .h extension, and all files with the .c extension to the same directory.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to duplicate both source and header files simultaneously using bash globbing. We have seen how to use globbing to match multiple files using patterns, how to use globbing with different extensions, how to use globbing with multiple extensions, and how to use globbing with wildcards and regular expressions. By using these techniques, you can save time and effort when duplicating source and header files in your projects.

Tips and Variations

To copy files to a different directory, use the -t option followed by the target directory. For example: cp -t /path/to/directory *.cpp
To preserve file permissions, use the -p option. For example: cp -p *.cpp
To copy files recursively, use the -r option. For example: cp -r *.cpp
To copy files with the same name but with a different extension, use the following command: cp *.cpp bar_*.h
To copy files with multiple extensions simultaneously, use the following command: cp *.cpp *.h *.c

Common Use Cases

Duplicating source and header files for a new project
Creating a backup of source and header files
Renaming source and header files to have a different extension
Copying source and header files to a different directory
Preserving file permissions when copying source and header files

Best Practices

Use globbing to match multiple files using patterns
Use the -p option to preserve file permissions
Use the -r option to copy files recursively
Use the -t option to copy files to a different directory
Use the cp command with the *.cpp and *.h extensions to duplicate source and header files simultaneously.
Duplicate Both Source and Header Files Simultaneously in Bash: Q&A ====================================================================

Q: What is globbing in bash?

A: Globbing is a feature in bash that allows you to match multiple files using patterns. It is used to expand wildcards in file names.

Q: How do I use globbing to duplicate source and header files simultaneously?

A: You can use the following command to duplicate source and header files simultaneously:

cp *.cpp *.h

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and all files with the .h extension to the same directory.

Q: How do I create new files with the same name but with a different extension?

A: You can use the following command to create new files with the same name but with a different extension:

cp *.cpp bar_*.h

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and rename them to have the .h extension with the prefix bar_.

Q: How do I duplicate multiple extensions simultaneously?

A: You can use the following command to duplicate multiple extensions simultaneously:

cp *.cpp *.h *.c

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension, all files with the .h extension, and all files with the .c extension to the same directory.

Q: How do I use wildcards to match multiple extensions?

A: You can use the following command to use wildcards to match multiple extensions:

cp *.cpp *.h *.c
cp *.cpp *.hpp

Q: How do I use regular expressions to match complex patterns?

A: Bash also supports regular expressions, which can be used to match complex patterns. For example:

cp *.cpp
cp *.h
cp *.c

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension, all files with the .h extension, and all files with the .c extension to the same directory.

Q: How do I copy files to a different directory?

A: You can use the -t option followed by the target directory to copy files to a different directory. For example:

cp -t /path/to/directory *.cpp

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension to the /path/to/directory directory.

Q: How do I preserve file permissions when copying files?

A: You can use the -p option to preserve file permissions when copying files. For example:

cp -p *.cpp

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and preserve their original permissions.

Q: How do I copy files recursively?

A: You can use the -r option to copy files recursively. For example:

cp -r *.cpp

This command will copy all files with the .cpp extension and their subdirectories to the same directory.

Q: What are some common use cases for duplicating source and header files?

A: Some common use cases for duplicating source and header files include:

Duplicating source and header files for a new project
Creating a backup of source and header files
Renaming source and header files to have a different extension
Copying source and header files to a different directory
Preserving file permissions when copying source and header files

Q: What are some best practices for duplicating source and header files?

A: Some best practices for duplicating source and header files include:

Using globbing to match multiple files using patterns
Using the -p option to preserve file permissions
Using the -r option to copy files recursively
Using the -t option to copy files to a different directory
Using the cp command with the *.cpp and *.h extensions to duplicate source and header files simultaneously.