Variable: backup-by-copying-when-mismatch

backup-by-copying-when-mismatch is a customizable variable defined in files.el.gz.

Value

t

Documentation

Non-nil means create backups by copying if this preserves owner or group.

Renaming may still be used (subject to control of other variables) when it would not result in changing the owner or group of the file; that is, for files that are owned by you and whose group matches the default for a new file created there by you. This variable is relevant only if backup-by-copying is nil.

This variable was added, or its default value changed, in Emacs 24.1.

View in manual

Probably introduced at or before Emacs version 18.

Source Code

;; Defined in /usr/src/emacs/lisp/files.el.gz
(defcustom backup-by-copying-when-mismatch t
  "Non-nil means create backups by copying if this preserves owner or group.
Renaming may still be used (subject to control of other variables)
when it would not result in changing the owner or group of the file;
that is, for files that are owned by you and whose group matches
the default for a new file created there by you.
This variable is relevant only if `backup-by-copying' is nil."
  :version "24.1"
  :type 'boolean
  :local 'permanent-only
  :group 'backup)