The rsync switches I've been using are:
Works like s charm for me. (You might not need/want "--itemize-changes" ... I generate a log file that's emailed to me containing that information.

HTH...

I am new to all this, can you please answer my question, I am confused enough without extra options.
I am now using this : rsync -aR /home/alex/alexfolders /media/alex/New-SD-512/sun/

To do a recursive backup, into the same target folder - are my 2 arguments the best option?

Thanks
Alex

I think what you want is -r, not -R. Different utilities have different options, and rsync uses both -r and -R. The lowercase -r means recurse into subdirectories. Uppercase -R means use relative path names. You can see all the options by running I also advise using the -a option, as -ar. Do not use -a -r syntax, just one dash - and the options together, as you are doing. All this is package specific. Every one has its own syntax and meaning, so you always have to either read the manual or at least run --help for every one of them. Each package has its own developer and maintainer, it's not like Microsoft which employs tens of thousands of coders to do it all one way. Linux developers are unpaid for the most part, and do it for the enjoyment of helping others. So some quirks must be overlooked. After all, it's free, and you get more than you pay for.

Hello again,

Now, you raised more wondering in my mind. I understand that Ubuntu comes as open source version of Linux. I can also see that some people took that and created new derivatives - kbuntu, xbuntu etc...

But, am I wrong in thinking that rsync is ONE single package, that package will use the same command line arguments in any distro of Ubuntu and its derivatives, or am I wrong?

In the process of moving my dayly backup from the SD card to the external 3TB WD disk, I ran the following command:

After some 5 minutes ran, at the end I see:

How come the number sent, is so much larger than the number received? I checked the final outcome and it seems the folders / files are all there on the drive.

-R is relative path, what does that mean? Relative to what? Otherwise, what is the path?

Cheers
Alex

As —help will show, -a includes -r and several other options. And I agree, -R is not necessary

Received bytes are those received back from the destination...probably acks or chechkbits.

man rsync is comprehensive...I’ve had to look up answers for several of your questions...you could read for yourself. If you’re not comfortable using it from the command line...which I get...any man page can usually be found on the web.

Rsync is the same everywhere. But every application is developed individually, and uses its own conventions. The options in rsync are not the same as in any other package, every one is a little different. There are some conventions, but they're only conventions, and don't have to be followed. That's why you need to read the manual for every one you use before you run it. Or at least try That is mostly reliable, but even that doesn't work for every package. '-h' sometimes works for help, but it can easily mean something else entirely. That's something you just have to accept.

I understad, but my question remains - rsync specific.
Can I assume that rsync syntax is the same for all Ubuntu flavours?

Cheers
Alex

For Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, or any other distro. The package is the same everywhere, although there may be changes between versions.

Ok, it is not a yes/ question

Cheers
Alex

You say that (or something similar) a lot.
Since you are well capable of writing in English, I must assume you are equally capable of reading it.
I suggest you take your newbie attitude as an inspiration to read a lot of documentation - in the case of rsync, I'm sure the man page will provide well-structured and ample material.
Most of your questions are best answered this way.

Hello again
I looked at your message and was pondering for several minutes, on how to react...

So, I decided to just say
Thank you