Need a dupe-killer, please

dhave · 01-17-2005, 11:44 AM

I'm looking for a simple utility or script that will compare the contents of two directories and then delete all the files in directory A which are also found in directory B.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to control the parameters of the file-matching based on size, date of creation, date of modification, permissions, and perhaps other properties.

Also, I'd like the utility to make a backup of the files it deletes just in case.

I'm trying to clean out a directory into which I copied a whole bunch of libraries by mistake. I don't want to disturb the previous contents of the directory, however, and I'm not confident of the

Does this exist ready-made, or can someone help me know how to write a simple utility to do this? Warning: I'm an English major, O.K.? But I do know which end of the power cord to plug into the wall. Usually.

ilikejam · 01-17-2005, 12:49 PM

Try this (use full paths in DIR1 DIR2 and BACKUP, and make sure the BACKUP directory exists) This'll just delete duplicate files based on filename.

Code:

#!/bin/bash
DIR1=<insert first directory path>
DIR2=<directory files will be deleted from>
BACKUP=<insert backup directory>
cd "$DIR1"
for GO in `ls`
  do
  cp "$GO" "$BACKUP"
  rm "$DIR2/$GO"
done

Usual disclaimers apply.

Dave