Copy_vs_Move.html

Copy versus Move - a primer on this command

How to "move" a file versus how to "copy" a file - a question to which there is / are 'several' answers.
The answer sometimes depends on the 'media' and sometimes it depends on the operating system. It ALWAYS depends on what you want to accomplish.

First - some 'definitions':

Move - means to take a file from one place and MOVE it to another place - so it no longer exists in the 'first-place' where it was.
Copy - means to create a 'duplicate' or a 'copy' and put that copy in a new place. The original file still exists in the 'first place' where it was.

When you read these next two short paragraphs, REMEMBER, that Most Operating Systems will NOT give you a visual clue / cue as to whether it is doing a 'MOVE' or a 'COPY', you have to KNOW what is happening. YOU HAVE TO spend some TIME to research and KNOW this - it is not something that will just magically appear in your brain one day.

In 'MOST' (though not all) operating systems, when you want to do something (move OR copy) on the SAME PHYSICAL DISK (even though it might be partitioned into several 'logical volumes') the operating system will make a choice FOR YOU (if you don't tell it otherwise) and the operating system will make the choice to MOVE the file. There is / are ways you can make a "COPY" of a file and put the copy in the 'new place' on the SME PHYSICAL DISK, but the 'default' is to MOVE the file

In 'MOST' (though not all) operating systems, when you want to do something (move OR copy) from one PHYSICAL DISK(typically your computer's 'main' hard-disk) to another PHYSICAL DISK (typically your USBdisk or a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM) the operating system will make a choice for you and that choice will be to COPY the file, not MOVE the file.

NOW - you have a choice to over-ride the above 'default' behaviours in any operating system. In some operating system(s) you can change the 'default' action, in some operating systems you have to change the default at the time you want to move or copy...

However, - make certain you both KNOW the difference, and UNDERSTAND when your computer's operating system is going to make a 'default choice' for you - and make sure you UNDERSTAND if that default choice is WHAT YOU WANT!

I cannot stress, too strongly, how important it is that you know this and understand it - and how it works ALL the time - never take anything with this for granted, make sure you KNOW. I know people who are taking college courses, and who's grade depends on their ability to put files on the instructor's disk for grading. They have failed to do so - therefore they failed to get a grade. Can you imagine the 'pain' of spending 8-12-16 weeks doing a college course, and not understanding 'move-copy' and failing to get a grade? - Can you imagine the 'pain' of disappointing a boss or a customer for the same reason.

This 'gotcha' is extremely poorly documented and/or used for training in most courses on using operating system(S)... -

last update: 21:21 p.m. on Monday, 29 January, 2007; revID: 1e