Ruby - FileUtils - dereference_root option

Question

Can someone explain me exactly (better if with examples) the meaning of the dereference_root option in FileUtils.cp_r and in other class method of the same class?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

It applies only if your source file/directory is symbolic link. If it is and you specify this option, then FileUtils.cp_r will follow this link and copy the original files otherwise you will get just a copy of the symlink.

But this doesn't apply recursively. So if you will have other symlinks inside your source folder they will be just copied as is, without 'dereferencing'.