What does the CPIO command flag -o signify?

The flag -o in the CPIO command is used to signify the "output" mode, which is specifically intended for creating an archive by copying files. When you use this flag with CPIO, you initiate the process of taking files from the specified input and writing them into an archive, which is a common way to package files for transfer or backup purposes. This aligns with the primary function of the CPIO command in conjunction with certain input options, particularly when combined with find or redirection to gather the files you want to include in the archive.

In this context, the focus is on archiving content, making it easier to manage multiple files as a single unit.