GNU bug report logs - #78623
cp --preserve=xattr copies attr as well as xattr which breaks cross-FS copy

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From: Paul Eggert <eggert <at> cs.ucla.edu>
To: Pádraig Brady <P <at> draigBrady.com>
Cc: Gael Donval <gael.donval <at> manchester.ac.uk>, 78623 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#78623: cp --preserve=xattr copies attr as well as xattr which breaks cross-FS copy
Date: Fri, 30 May 2025 10:16:08 -0700

On 2025-05-30 02:37, Pádraig Brady wrote:
> we only have this issue with --preserve=xattr which diagnoses any 
> issues.
> Perhaps we would benefit from a --preserve=supported-xattr option?

If we go that route, it might be a bit better if the new option-arg 
began with 'xattr' rather than ended with 'xattr' so that it's easier to 
find in the doc. Perhaps something like --preserve='xattr-try'?

I'm not quite seeing the motivation, though. Why are scripts using 
--preserve=xattr rather than the much-simpler '-a'? That is, why 
preserve xattr but not other metadata?

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