install(1)install(1)NAMEinstall - Installs a command
SYNOPSISinstall [-sS] [-c targetdir] [-g group] [-m mode] [-u owner] file
[searchdir...]
install [-osS] [-f targetdir] [-g group] [-m mode] [-u owner] file
[searchdir...]
install [-g group] [-iosS] [-m mode] [-n targetdir] [-u owner] file
[searchdir...]
install [-g group] [-MosS] [-m mode] [-u owner] file [searchdir...]
The install command installs file in a specific place within a file
system. It is most often used in makefiles.
OPTIONS
Installs file in targetdir only if there is not already a copy there.
If there is a copy of file in targetdir, the command issues a message
to that effect and exits without overwriting the file. This option can
be used alone or with the -g, -m, -s, -S, or -u options. Forces
installation of file in targetdir even if a copy already exists there.
If there is already a copy of file in targetdir, the command sets the
new copy's mode and owner to those of the old copy. If there is not
already a copy of file in targetdir, the command sets the mode to 755
and the owner to bin. This option can be used alone or with the -g, -m,
-o, -s, -S, or -u options. Specifies a group other than bin for the
destination file. Ignores the default directory search list. Searches
for the file to be installed only in the directories specified on the
command line (searchdir ...). This option cannot be used with the -c,
-f, or -M options. Moves file to targetdir instead of copying it.
This option cannot be used with the -c, -f, -i, or -n options. Speci‐
fies a mode other than 755 for the destination file. Installs file in
targetdir if there is no copy in any of the searched directories
(searchdir ...). Sets the mode of the file to 755 and the owner to
bin. This option cannot be used with the -c, -f, or -M options. Saves
the old copy of file by renaming it OLDfile and leaving it in the
directory where it was found. This option cannot be used with the -c
option. Specifies an owner other than bin for the destination file.
Suppresses the display of all but error messages. Causes the binary to
be stripped after installation; see strip(1).
DESCRIPTION
The install command copies (or moves) file into the appropriate direc‐
tory, retaining the owner and permissions of the existing copy, if any.
A newly created file has permission code 755, owner bin, and group bin.
The install command writes a message telling you which files it is
replacing or creating and where they are going.
If you supply no options or search directories (searchdir ...), the
install command searches the /bin, /usr/bin, /etc, /lib, and /usr/lib
directories in that order for a file with the same name as file. The
command overwrites the first matching file with file and issues a mes‐
sage indicating that it has done so. If no match is found, the command
tells you and exits without taking further action.
If any search directories (searchdir ...) are specified on the command
line, the install command searches them before it searches the default
directories.
EXAMPLES
To replace a command that already exists in one of the default directo‐
ries, enter: install fixit
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the /bin,
/usr/bin, /etc, /lib, or /usr/lib directory. Otherwise, the file
fixit is not installed. For example, if /usr/bin/fixit exists,
then this file is replaced by a copy of the file fixit in the
current directory. To replace a command that already exists in
a specified or default directory while preserving the old ver‐
sion, enter: install-o fixit /etc /usr/games
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the /etc or
/usr/games directory, or in one of the default directories. Oth‐
erwise, the file fixit is not installed. If the file is
replaced, the old version is preserved by renaming it OLDfixit
in the directory in which it was found. To replace a command
that already exists in a specified directory, enter: install-i
fixit /u/judith/bin /u/bernice/bin /usr/games
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in the
/u/judith/bin, /u/bernice/bin, or /usr/games directory. Other‐
wise, the file is not installed. To replace a command found in
a default directory, or install it in a specified directory if
it is not found, enter: install-n /usr/bin fixit
This replaces the file fixit if it is found in one of the
default directories. If the file is not found, it is installed
as /usr/bin/fixit. To install a new command, enter: install-c
/usr/bin fixit
This creates a new command by installing a copy of the fixit
file as /usr/bin/fixit, but only if this file does not already
exist. To install a command in a specified directory whether or
not it already exists, enter: install-f /usr/bin -o-s
fixit
This forces the fixit file to be installed as /usr/bin/fixit
whether or not /usr/bin/fixit already exists. The old version,
if any, is preserved by renaming it to /usr/bin/OLDfixit (a
result of the -o option). The messages that tell where the new
command was installed are suppressed (a result of the -s
option).
SEE ALSO
Commands: chgrp(1), chmod(1), chown(1), cp(1), installbsd(1), make(1),
mv(1), strip(1)install(1)
