Copy directory structure

\; – ensures that the cp command is executed for each file found while keeping the directory structure. The –parents option ensures the files are copied with their original directory structure. Meanwhile, the placeholder {} holds each file found while ../destination is the path to copy the files toAbove, we’ve managed to copy all the text files to the destination directory. At the same time, we retained the directory structure.Now, let’s view the contents of the destination directory:$ ls -R ../destination../destination:file_1.txt file_2.txt source_2../destination/source_2:file_3.txt file_4.txtFrom the output above, we see that this directory contains all the text files from the source directory. Most importantly, the directory structure persists.2.2. Combining find With the tar CommandThe tar command is known for creating and extracting archives. However, we can also use it to copy files while retaining the directory structure:$ find ./ -type f -name "*.txt" -exec tar -cf - {} + | tar -xf - -C ../destinationLet’s understand the above command:find ./ -type f -name “*.txt” – searches for all .txt file types in the current directory-exec tar -cf – {} + – the -exec option executes the tar -cf – {} + for each file found by find. To elaborate, the tar command creates a tar archive with the help of the -c option. Meanwhile, the -f – option ensures that the archive is created on the standard output instead of on the file system. {} represents the placeholder for each file to include in the archive. Finally, + instructs find to provide as many files as it can to each execution of tar.| – pipes the now-created archive as input to the next tar commandtar -xf – -C ../destination – the tar options (-xf –) instruct tar to extract (-x) the archive data from standard input (-f –). Meanwhile -C ../destination specifies the directory path to copy the extracted data.In this example, we avoid creating the tar archive on the filesystem.3. Using the rsync Commandrysnc is a resourceful command line tool for copying files both locally and remotely. Furthermore, we can use it to preserve the directory structure of the files

Robocopy is a powerful command-line in Windows operating system that allows users to copy files, folders and partitions. It was first introduced in the Windows NT operating system as part of a resource kit in late 1993. It was continued in later versions such as Windows 2000, Vista, Windows 7, 8 and 10. Although it was not part of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, users always had an option to independently download an official toolkit from the Microsoft Download Center.Usage On Windows 10Opening Command PromptFirst and foremost, you must open Command Prompt tool in order to use Robocopy. Some folders/ files may require you to obtain administrative privileges. Therefore, it is recommended to run elevated Command Prompt. The steps are outlined below:Press the Windows Key.Type Command Prompt in the Search box.Right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.1. Copy An Entire DirectoryThe following command will copy an entire directory, including all files and sub-folders. You may use this command to backup your documents and files to a different partition, external hard disk or a USB stick.SyntaxRobocopy ExampleRobocopy C:\Users\Vikas\Documents D:\MyFiles2. Copy An Entire Directory & Retain Folder StructureThe following command will deep copy your entire directory while retaining folder structure. Your files will continue to appear in the same hierarchical tree structure as earlier.SyntaxRobocopy /S /E ExampleRobocopy /S /E C:\Users\Vikas\Documents D:\MyFiles3. Copy An Entire Directory Except Empty Folders & Retain Original Folder StructureJust like the above command, this will copy an entire directory while retaining its original folder structure. The only difference is that this command will not copy empty folders, if any, from the source directory.SyntaxRobocopy /S ExampleRobocopy /S C:\Users\Vikas\Documents D:\MyFiles4. Self-destructible Directory CopyingSelf-destructible Directory Copying copies an entire directory to a different location and then deletes the source directory including all of its contents.SyntaxRobocopy /MOVE /S /E

Windows File Explorer doesn’t allow copying of folders without the files within them. So, if you had to use the same folder structure multiple times for something, you’d have to either copy-paste the folders then delete all files manually or keep a template folder structure at hand to use when needed. Templates would do if you’re going to use the same structure repeatedly, but if what you want to do is a one-time task or if the folders keep changing, they are useless. A better way is to copy the folder structure itself. Below I have two methods to achieve this: From the command line and using a software. Copy Folder Structure without Files from The Command LineFor this method we’re going to use XCOPY. The syntax of command is:XCOPY source destination /TExample:XCOPY C:\Folder D:\Folder /TThat will duplicate C:\Folder structure in D:\Folder.The above command copies only those folders that have files within them but exclude empty folders. If you’d like to include empty folders too in the process, add another parameter /E. Example:XCOPY C:\Folder D:\Folder /T /ESoftware to Copy Folder Structure Without FilesIf you prefer a GUI method, Miroirs is a free program that allows cloning of a directory structure without the files within them. To use it, run the app, select your source folder for “Template Directory”, destination folder for “Target Location”, then click on Create button. You’ll have your skeleton folder structure ready. Optionally, you can choose to delete destination directory contents before starting the process.Miroirs comes as an installer, however, you can use it as a portable app by carrying “Miroirs.exe” file on your USB flash drive.It works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.Download: Miroirs

During the copying process. To clarify, we’ll work locally with the same files as the ones in the previous section.From the terminal, let’s navigate to the source directory and execute our command:$ rsync -av --include='*/' --include='*.txt' --exclude='*' ./ ../destinationsending incremental file list./file_1.txtfile_2.txtsource_2/source_2/file_3.txtsource_2/file_4.txt...This output displays the progress of the copying process. The source_2 directory is also copied since it contains files that we’re interested in.Let’s break down the command to understand it:-av – the -a option retains file attributes like ownership, permissions, and timestamps, while the -v option displays the progress of the copying process–include=’*/’ – includes every directory in the source directory that contains the defined .txt file type–include=’*.txt’ – includes all the .txt file types in the copy–exclude=’*’ – excludes all other files./ – represents the directory path to start our search from, in our case, the current working directory../destination – defines where to copy our files toAt this point, all the .txt files have been copied to the destination directory. Also, the directory structure matches the one in the source directory.4. ConclusionIn this article, we learned different ways to copy specific file types while keeping the directory structure. First, we discussed using the find command in combination with the cp and tar commands. Then, we implemented a Bash script to automate our task. Afterward, we took a look at the rsync command.Any of these approaches is suitable depending on our preferences. We can easily create backups of specific file types while maintaining their original format.

When we say "copy the structure of a folder (directory)”, We are referring to copying (duplicating) all its content in a new folder, with the particularity that this copy is 0 bytes (no size) and only contains data such as name, format and extensions for example. That is, make an exact copy of the source directory, but without size or weight. Interesting right?In general, these copies are usually generated in a final compressed file format and if we think about its use, it can be useful to make backups of our data or to share with someone else, a project for example, there may be many uses according to the user.In that sense, precisely Zero Zipper is one of those tools that takes care of copy the folder and directory structureDespite being only in English, understanding its use will not be a problem, as it is simple and has a clear design as seen in the previous screenshot.Once executed Zero ZipperThe steps to follow are just two: choose the directory or folder from which we will make the copy of its structure (Source folder) and finally choose the output directory (Destination zip), optionally we can assign a name to the copy. In this way and with the standard method the duplication will be made in a Zip file, in a matter of seconds or minutes, depending on the size of the source content.The following images correspond to some captures that I took during the program test, so that you can see more clearly how it works.Original folder and copy folder sizeStructure copy generated in a zip fileZero Zipper I tell you that it is a free application y portable 620 KB (Zip), it is compatible with Windows versions 7 / Vista / XP.Official site | Download Zero Zipper