Compare and copy application. - Discussion Forum - The Massassi Temple Forums Archive

This is the static archive of the Massassi Forums. The forums are closed indefinitely. Thanks for all the memories!

You can also download Super Old Archived Message Boards from when Massassi first started.

"View" counts are as of the day the forums were archived, and will no longer increase.

Compare and copy application.

2004-03-26, 6:14 AM #1

Darth Evad

Not Really a Genius

Posts: 2,966

Is there an application that will compare a whole bunch of files and then only copy over the ones that have been modified?

I am backing up onto a second drive on a more regular basis than I do to CD. I would like to only copy the modified files if possible.

------------------
To artificial life, all reality is virtual.
HTP

2004-03-26, 7:21 AM #2

GBK

Posts: 10,562

Windows? Linux? Just use any decent backup utility.

------------------
The future is here, and all bets are off.

And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.

2004-03-26, 10:42 AM #3

Darth Evad

Not Really a Genius

Posts: 2,966

Windows in this case.

------------------
To artificial life, all reality is virtual.
HTP

2004-03-26, 11:08 AM #4

Cool Matty

Usuyami no Sekai

Posts: 15,246

Windows (technically dos) already has this function.
(I know this works in Win2k/XP, and probably does in Win98/ME also).

Go to command prompt.
Hit xcopy /?

Read the instructions and do what you need to. It's a very powerful copying tool.

I believe the command you'll want is:

xcopy c:\source\directory d:\destination\directory /D /E

/D checks to make sure the source file is newer than the destination one. /E copies subdirectories, even empty ones. Also use /Y if you want it to automatically overwrite at the destination without prompting.

There is a LOT more switches you can use, so make sure you hit xcopy /? and read them all.

------------------
"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...
Make Sorrowind Worthwhile... join it! http://sorrowind.net

2004-03-26, 12:52 PM #5

Prince Xizor

Xinior Member

Posts: 1,420

Please dont call it command prompt. shivers. in my mind it will always be good ol ms-dos

------------------
Madquack and Firbnic have a signature.
Remnant Temple Part A beta test.
Light And Darkness

I was just petting the bunny, and it went into the soup can, and part of my hand went with it. - Red vs Blue

2004-03-26, 11:52 PM #6

blujay

Posts: 785

It's known as an Incremental backup, meaning it only backs up files that have changed since the last backup. It's a function built into the Backup program in Windows 2000 (I assume XP, also), and into WinZip, other archival/compression software, etc.

KOP_blujay
Just dancin'...and singin'...in the Force.

2004-03-27, 6:30 AM #7

GBK

Posts: 10,562

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Prince Xizor:
Please dont call it command prompt. shivers. in my mind it will always be good ol ms-dos</font>

1) There was nothing 'good' about MS-DOS.

2) 2k/XP lack DOS. They have instead a compatability layer, "cmd.exe", that translates system calls.

------------------
The future is here, and all bets are off.

And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.

2004-03-27, 6:31 AM #8

GBK

Posts: 10,562

Oh, yeah, xcopy is also in older versions of Windows too...

------------------
The future is here, and all bets are off.

And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.