cp

$ cp -avr /tmp/conf/ /tmp/backup

• -a : Preserve the specified attributes such as directory an file mode, ownership, timestamps, if possible additional attributes: context, links, xattr, all.
• -v : Explain what is being done.
• -r : Copy directories recursively.

rsync

$ rsync -avz /home/vivek /media/backup

• -a : Archive mode i.e. copy a folder with all its permission and other information including recursive copy.
• -v : Verbose mode.
• -z : With this option, rsync compresses the file data as it is sent to the destination machine, which reduces the amount of data being transmitted — something that is useful over a slow connection.