Copying files is a very common task in PHP, especially when you need to create backups, duplicate uploaded files, move templates, or generate multiple versions of the same file. PHP provides a simple and powerful function to handle file copying: copy().

This guide covers how copying works, error handling, permissions, best practices, and real-world use cases.

⭐ What Is File Copying in PHP?

Copying a file means creating a duplicate of an existing file at a new location with the same or different name.

PHP makes this very easy with:

copy("source.txt", "destination.txt");

⭐ Basic Syntax of copy()

copy(source, destination);

source → the existing file
destination → new file path or file name

The function returns:

true → if file copied successfully
false → if copying fails

⭐ Simple Example: Copy a File

<?php
if (copy("data.txt", "backup_data.txt")) {
    echo "File copied successfully!";
} else {
    echo "Failed to copy file.";
}
?>

This creates a duplicate named backup_data.txt.

⭐ Copying a File to Another Directory

copy("images/photo.jpg", "backup/photo_backup.jpg");

Make sure the destination folder exists and has write permissions.

⭐ Copy and Rename at the Same Time

copy("resume.pdf", "resume_old_version.pdf");

Useful for version control.

⭐ Copying Files Uploaded by Users

copy($_FILES['file']['tmp_name'], "uploads/" . $_FILES['file']['name']);

Used in:

Upload systems
Document management
Media libraries

⭐ Checking Before Copying

Always check if the source file exists:

if (file_exists("info.txt")) {
    copy("info.txt", "info_copy.txt");
} else {
    echo "Source file not found.";
}

⭐ Handling Errors Properly

if (!copy("report.txt", "backup/report_backup.txt")) {
    echo "Error: Could not copy report.txt!";
} else {
    echo "Backup created!";
}

⭐ Copying With Permission Checking

Some systems require permissions:

if (!is_writable("backup")) {
    echo "Backup folder is not writable.";
} else {
    copy("file.txt", "backup/file.txt");
}

⭐ Real-World Use Cases of Copying Files in PHP

✔ Creating automatic backups
✔ Duplicating templates
✔ Versioning documents
✔ Storing uploaded files safely
✔ Creating image thumbnails (copy then resize)
✔ Copying system logs before clearing them
✔ Copying configuration files

⭐ Copying Multiple Files (Loop Example)

$files = ["a.txt", "b.txt", "c.txt"];

foreach ($files as $file) {
    copy($file, "backup/" . $file);
}

⭐ Best Practices

✔ Check if the source file exists
✔ Check destination folder permissions
✔ Never copy extremely large files without size checks
✔ Use meaningful filenames for backups
✔ Avoid overwriting without warning
✔ Use is_writable() and file_exists() to avoid errors

⭐ Alternatives to copy()

PHP offers other file movement functions:

Function	Purpose
`rename()`	Moves or renames a file
`file_put_contents()`	Replace/create files
`stream_copy_to_stream()`	Copy file streams

Citations

🔗 View other articles about PHP:
http://savanka.com/category/learn/php/

🔗 External PHP Documentation:
https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.copy.php

What Is File Copying in PHP? See Examples