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Space Hound 4 - [ About Synchronization ]

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About Folder Synchronization 

Folder Synchronization is an advanced management tool that allows you to compare individual folders or folder structures for differences.

Typical uses for Folder Synchronization

• Make two folder structures identical

• Identify files missing from a backup folder

• Delete duplicated files between two folder structures

• Create up-to-date folder backups

The completed Folder Synchronization display typically shows a pair of display grids which will contain an individual entry for each file found in either structure. 

Note that sub-folder names must match between the two structures.  If sub-folders have different names, then you will only be able to compare each individual folder to it's appropriate counterpart. 

For example:  If you compare folder structure C:\Files\Monday with C:\Files\Tuesday and the first folder contains a sub-folder called C:\Files\Monday\XXX and the second structure is C:\Files\Tuesday\XXXXX. 

Files in C:\Files\Monday with C:\Files\Tuesday will be compared however files in the respective folders of XXX and XXXXX will not be.  However, the file entries in both XXX and XXXXX will still be listed but they will show as <NO ENTRY> in the other display.

Folder Synchronization Operations and Tools

Folder Synchronization is initiated by using the Explorer bar or Pull Down Menu labeled Synchronize Folder Structures under Folder Tools.  This will display a customized Search Criteria form that includes two side by side Folder Outline displays. 

To select the starting points for each folder, highlight the starting point on each side.  Use the options to the right of the Folder Outline displays to set specific options. 

You can customize the operation as follows:

• Include sub-folders - Unless checked, only the highlighted folders will be compared. 

• Perform content analysis - Note that extremely large folder structures could take a long time to complete the content analysis.  Reported differences in either size or content will be indicated on the left side of the parallel content displays.

• Limit the display to only files that are different or missing. 

• Limit the display to only files that are missing from one folder structure or the other.

The process of finding the files in each folder structure is as quick as doing a simple Find Files search on multiple folders.  However, once all files are located, additional steps are performed based on your previously selected criteria.

The final display will show a parallel set of display grids.  Depending upon the previously selected options, there may also be a third grid on the far left that indicates which files have different sizes or content.

When files exist in both folder structures, the most recently modified version will have an asterisk (*) preceding the file name.

One major difference in the use of this tool is that when files of the same name are found in both folders, use of the standard tool set (File Information, View Hex Dump, etc) must be preceded by selecting which grid display to use as input.

Once the results are displayed, you can use the Synchronize to perform several unique operations.  Synchronize is found on either the the Explorer or Drop Down Menus when viewing a Synchronization Display.

The options are:

• Copy the missing files from one folder structure to the other

• Replace files when one instance is newer than the other (based on modification date & time)

• Copy only selected files (when multiple rows are highlighted)

Once the Synchronize option is selected, press Continue to perform the operation.  You will see a customized Move/Copy/Archive screen that will show you what is about to occur before it actually happens.  You can choose to continue this or cancel it altogether and select new options.

Results from the Synchronize operation are not automatically displayed in the results grid after the operation.  However, you can press the Re-Process button at the top of the display to re-analyze the folder structures using the same selection options that you selected the first time.

Special Note: File Operations performed via the Folder Synchronization Tool do not utilize the Pending Deletes method normally used within the program for file management operations.  Changes here, including file replacements are real time.