title: Unix cp command destination = . (dot)?
body: <p>What does <code>.</code> (dot) mean as the destination of the <code>cp</code> command?</p>
  
  <p>For example:</p>
  
  <pre><code>cp ~dir1/dir2/dir3/executableFile.x .
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When this executes it copies the file successfully with the correct file name, but I'm wondering is this what a destination of '.' will always do or is there another purpose?</p>
  
  <p>Within the reference material I've seen, dots are used in front of files to indicate 'hidden', but in that has no relation to the command above.</p>