title: Using 'cp' and preserving the attributes of a directory, but not copying any of it's children
body: <p>I am making a file sync program.  In order to increase the efficiency of the syncs, I have it sync/copy over only the new files/folders from the source.  Anyway, when I copy directories into the sync I use 'cp pR <em>itemName</em>, because it preserves the attributes of the directory and the icon (if it is present).  But, unfortunately it also copies all of the contained files in that directory...  I do not want the children copied (excepting some invisible files), I want to copy one item at a time.  Is there a way that I can programatically copy a directory, by itself (without including it's child files) but still retaining it's attributes (like Date Created and icon)?</p>