(fileutils.info) Backup options

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 Backup options
 ==============
 
    Some GNU programs (at least `cp', `install', `ln', and `mv')
 optionally make backups of files before writing new versions.  These
 options control the details of these backups.  The options are also
 briefly mentioned in the descriptions of the particular programs.
 
 `-b'
 `--backup'
      Make a backup of each file that would otherwise be overwritten or
      removed.  Without this option, the original versions are destroyed.
 
 `-S SUFFIX'
 `--suffix=SUFFIX'
      Append SUFFIX to each backup file made with `-b'.  If this option
      is not specified, the value of the `SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX'
      environment variable is used.  And if `SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX' is not
      set, the default is `~', just as in Emacs.
 
 `-V METHOD'
 `--version-control=METHOD'
      Use METHOD to determine the type of backups made with `-b'.  If
      this option is not specified, the value of the `VERSION_CONTROL'
      environment variable is used.  And if `VERSION_CONTROL' is not set,
      the default backup type is `existing'.
 
      This option corresponds to the Emacs variable `version-control';
      the same values for METHOD are accepted as in Emacs.  This options
      also more descriptive name.  The valid METHODs (unique
      abbreviations are accepted):
 
     `t'
     `numbered'
           Always make numbered backups.
 
     `nil'
     `existing'
           Make numbered backups of files that already have them, simple
           backups of the others.
 
     `never'
     `simple'
           Always make simple backups.
 

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