Cp: target is not a directory

Question

I have a bash script with this line:

cp -R /usr/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/$GCC_VERSION/* /app/.apt/usr/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/$GCC_VERSION

Full script: https://github.com/virtualstaticvoid/heroku-buildpack-r/blob/cedar-14/bin/compile

Unfortunately it fails with cp: target ‘/app/.apt/usr/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/4.8’ is not a directory

Any tips what could be wrong? Unfortunately I do not have much experience with bash.

Previously this script was running alone and it was working. Now I had to add some apt-get install before it, and it started to fail so I am trying to fix it.

score 16 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 12 '16 at 08:11

16

There is no directory with the name 4.8...Thats your problem :)

Run this before your cp command:

mkdir -p /app/.apt/usr/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/$GCC_VERSION

It creates all directories in the given path!

answered Apr 12 '16 at 08:11

Daniel

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1

Have to note that `mkdir` command should be on the same line with `cp` command in order to make this work – beyondfloatingpoint Jun 30 '19 at 16:11
1

Is there a way to do this recursively for many folders? – Black Chase May 17 '21 at 20:31

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 06 '19 at 23:07

7

This should work, add / at the end of cp command to make it clear for it that its dir:

mkdir -p /app/.apt
cp -R $BUILD_DIR/.apt/* /app/.apt/

edited Aug 06 '19 at 23:07

kenorb

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answered Apr 12 '16 at 08:15

Drako

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Cp: target is not a directory

2 Answers2