dd

Dump Data - convert and copy a file (use for RAW storage), create a boot floppy.

SYNTAX
     dd [OPTION]...

DESCRIPTION
     The numeric-valued options below (BYTES and BLOCKS) can be followed
     by a multiplier: `b'=512, `c'=1, `w'=2, `xM'=M, or any of the standard
     block size suffixes like `k'=1024 (*note Block size::).

`if=FILE'
     input file : Read from FILE instead of standard input.

`of=FILE'
     output file : Write to FILE instead of standard output.  Unless `conv=notrunc'
     is given, `dd' truncates FILE to zero bytes (or the size specified
     with `seek=').

`ibs=BYTES'
     Read BYTES bytes at a time.

`obs=BYTES'
     Write BYTES bytes at a time.

`bs=BYTES'
     Both read and write BYTES bytes at a time.  This overrides `ibs'
     and `obs'.

`cbs=BYTES'
     Convert BYTES bytes at a time.

`skip=BLOCKS'
     Skip BLOCKS `ibs'-byte blocks in the input file before copying.

`seek=BLOCKS'
     Skip BLOCKS `obs'-byte blocks in the output file before copying.

`count=BLOCKS'
     Copy BLOCKS `ibs'-byte blocks from the input file, instead of
     everything until the end of the file.

`conv=CONVERSION[,CONVERSION]...'
     Convert the file as specified by the CONVERSION argument(s).  
     (No spaces around any comma)

     Conversions:

    `ascii'
          Convert EBCDIC to ASCII.

    `ebcdic'
          Convert ASCII to EBCDIC.

    `ibm'
          Convert ASCII to alternate EBCDIC.

    `block'
          For each line in the input, output `cbs' bytes, replacing the
          input newline with a space and padding with spaces as
          necessary.

    `unblock'
          Replace trailing spaces in each `cbs'-sized input block with a
          newline.

    `lcase'
          Change uppercase letters to lowercase.

    `ucase'
          Change lowercase letters to uppercase.

    `swab'
          Swap every pair of input bytes.  GNU `dd', unlike others,
          works when an odd number of bytes are read--the last byte is
          simply copied (since there is nothing to swap it with).

    `noerror'
          Continue after read errors.

    `notrunc'
          Do not truncate the output file.

    `sync'
          Pad every input block to size of `ibs' with trailing zero
          bytes.

Example:
dd can be used to create a boot floppy:

   dd if=boot.img of=/dev/fd0 bs=1440

 where

   if = the input file or device
   of = the output file or device
   bs = the block size for both input and output files

"Success isn't something you chase. It's something you have to put forth the effort for constantly. Then maybe it'll come when you least expect it. Most people don't understand that" - Michael Jordan

Related bash commands:

cp - Copy one or more files to another location
ddrescue - Data recovery tool
install - Copy files and set attributes
mtools - Manipulate MS-DOS files
sum - Print a checksum for a file

Equivalent Windows commands:

NTBACKUP - Backup folders to tape
ROBOCOPY - Robust File and Folder Copy