SyncFile

SyncFile is a bi-directional update or "syncronization" program. In it's simplest form, it compares the timestamps of two files of the same name, and if they are different, syncronizes the two by copying the newer one on top of the older. Filename paterns can be specified, and there are options that support directory walking, actions to take when directories or files on one side don't exist on the other, and so on.

In many ways, it's a rough command-line equivalent to the Windows briefcase. In fact, it was written to overcome some of the shortcomings of earlier versions of briefcase.

Usage

syncfile [-ehmnoqrstvw] [-f file] dir1 dir2 [files...]

where:

• dir1 and dir2: the two directories containing files to syncronize.
• files: filenames or wildcard pattern of filenames to be syncronized. Optional. [Default: *.*]
• -d: debug. Spits out more progress and file comparison information as it does its work. [Default: off]
• -e: sync only files that already exist in both places. Normally if a file is missing on one side of the comparison, syncfile will treat it as out of date and copy over the file found on the other side. This option causes that file to simply be skipped instead. [Default: off]
• -f cfile: read from command file. See below.
• -h: help: print summary help text and exit.
• -n: don't create dirs that don't exist in both places. Normally if a directory is found on one side of the comparison but not on the other, then syncfile will create the missing directory. This option causes the missing directory tree to simply be skipped. [Default: off]
• -o: one-way update files in dir1 to dir2. Updates occur in one direction only when this option is specified. [Default: off]
• -q: quiet. Don't complain about non-existant directories. Syncfile will normally warn if a directory doesn't exist on one side of the comparison. This option turns off that warning. [Default: off]
• -r: recurse subdirectories. When specified, after syncronizing the files in the two directories specified on the command line, syncfile recurses into each subdirectory on both sides of the comparison and continues it's work. This allows entire directory trees to be syncronized. [Default: off]
• -s: sloppy time compares. Allow ~3 second diff as equal. Different filesystems retain different level's of granularity for the timestamps of files. Specifically FAT filesystems timestamps are accurate only to roughly 1/18th of a second. This can cause problems when compare to the same file on another filesystem such as NTFS, which has better resolution. Files which are actually "in sync" could appear to have slightly different timestamps. This option allows a difference of up to 3 seconds to be considered as being in sync. Use with caution. [Default: off]
• -S: really sloppy time compares. Allow around a 60 second difference as equal. Emperically, some comparisons seemed to require truly excessive lattitude in timestamps comparisons. Use this option with extreme caution. [Default: off]
• -t: tell mode. Copy nothing, but show what actions would be performed. [Default: off]
• -v: verbose: output more progress information. [Default: off]
• -w: show full (wide) filenames. Syncfile normally truncates all filenames to fit in a window assumed to be 80 characters wide. [Default: off]
• -x: force update of read-only files. Syncfile will not normally overwrite files which are marked read-only. Setting this option will allow syncfile to overwrite read-only files. The read-only setting on the file is retained. [Default: off]

Quirk: if files is a restrictive pattern, it applies to directories recursed into as well as files synced.

Command File Input

If -f is specified, dir1, dir2 and files are ignored, and commands are read from cfile. Commands are of the format:

switches dir1 dir2 files...

where switches begin in column 1, and include any of the applicable command line switches. Space is required if no switches are specified. Switches are returned to values as specified on command line before executing each line.

Requirements

Windows 2000 or Windows XP, x86 versions.

Download

Syncfile is freeware. Unfortunately because of today's litigious society, I also have to tell you the following:

By downloading syncfile you agree to assume all risk for its use. It may or may not meet your needs. It's extremely unlikely, but syncfile might have bugs that could harm or delete files on your computer. Perhaps all of them. Puget Sound Software assumes no liability for any damage caused by your use of syncfile in any way.

If you can't accept those terms, then don't download syncfile.

With that out of the way, I will also say that if you find a bug in syncfile I'll attempt to correct the problem and get you a new version for free. Since syncfile is freeware that last part is kinda silly, but it's my policy for all the software I'm providing here, free or not.

Download Syncfile here. (ZIP, 25,177 bytes).