automatically marking directories question

[roolku]

Hi,

I have a question for the experts here:

How do I go about deleting directories that are in one panel, but not in the other? The contents could be different but is not relevant.

For example I have A, B, C and D on the left and only A and C on the right, in which case I want to delete B and D.

If they where files instead of directories I could simply do a shift-F2, but this doesn't mark diectories? I have "Also select Directories" checked in options.

Has anybody got an idea?

Thanks a lot
Roolku

[Clo]

Hi, welcome on board!

• If you need to delete dirs "B" "and "D", just click once on anyone in both,
press Ctrl and keep the key pressed. Then click once on the other.
- Loosen the Ctrl key.
- Press Del, the F8 key or the f8-button (to use Win Bin); or else, Shift+Del to delete that dirs. definitively -including all files inside-, whether there are some.
• This is described in the Tutorial under "Mark" menu:

Select multiple scattered files (any type)
Strike the Ctrl key, and keep it pressed; then, select the files with the appropriate mouse-button; finally, loosen the Ctrl key.

- You may get the Tutorial for free from my Web page (button below) >>> Menu >>> Dowloads >> TC is the first paragraph...

  Kind regards,
Claude
Clo

[roolku]

Hi Clo,

not sure if you misunderstood or make fun of me.

The ABCD scenario was just an example. I have about a thousand of those directories some of them (about 100) are only in one location - these are the ones I want to delete. Selecting them manually is not an option.

Cheers
Roolku

[Clo]

2roolku
• You might pose your question clearier; please, tell us WHAT is the fonction of TC you're using. I suppose it's "Synchronise dirs." ?
• Moreover, I don't use to moke users here... If I write a joke, I show it's one...
• And it's quite possible to delete one hundred dirs or more by hand in one shoot very easily and quickly...
Clo

[roolku]

2roolku
• You might pose your question clearier;

I tried my best. First I explained the scenario, then I gave an example and then I described what doesn't work.

What else can I do?

• please, tell us WHAT is the fonction of TC you're using.

The trouble is I don't know of any function that would achieve what I want. That is why I came here to ask.

• I suppose it's "Synchronise dirs." ?

I don't think it would work - like I wrote, the contents of the directories is irrelevant.

• Moreover, I don't use to moke users here... If I write a joke, I show it's one...

Sorry, I took your green grinning emoticon as a joke indicator.

• And it's quite possible to delete one hundred dirs or more by hand in one shoot very easily and quickly...

I'd love to see how (based on my scenario).

Cheers
Robert

[icfu]

@Clo: Have you had a bad day?

@roolku:
Not possible currently. As you have already found out yourself synchronizing works on files only unfortunately.

So either delete manually or try out a specialized tool for such tasks like the excellent and free WinMerge. Install stable setup version first, after that update with at least the latest Beta, it has more features, less bugs and includes a Unicode-Exe as well.

You can assign a button in TC if you like, too, check /WinMerge/Docs/GettingStarted.htm:

Using the Command Line

At the Command Line type:

winmerge [/r] [/e] [/ul] [/ur] [/ub] [leftpath] [rightpath] [outputpath]

where:
/r or -r tells WinMerge to compare directories recursively
/e or -e allows WinMerge to be closed with a single esc keypress
/ul or -ul tells WinMerge to not add left path to MRU
/ur or -ur tells WinMerge to not add right path to MRU
/ub or -ub tells WinMerge to not add both paths to MRU
leftpath is the directory or filename to open on the left side
rightpath is the directory or filename to open on the right side
outputpath is the output directory where you want merged files to be saved. Note that the correct syntax for the output path is something like C:\\Source\WinMerge


To simplify comparisons and using the parameters, it is recommended that WinMerge be added to the application path variable in Window's environment settings. Once that is done, WinMerge can be invoked from any directory instead of just the application's home directory.

Other alternatives, available in free and pro versions:

ExamDiff
Beyond Compare
Comparator

@ghisler, please implement that, it's essential!

Icfu

[Clo]

2icfu

@Clo: Have you had a bad day?

  Hi Jeff!
• Not particularly... Without any search criterion like date or so, I couldn't advise the "Search" function to roolku
• In such a case, TC should need a built-in crystal-bowl ... regardless to the "archives-in-result-restriction-to-display-the-list"...
• Thanks for your post here.
  Friendly regards,
Clo

[roolku]

@Clo: Have you had a bad day?
So either delete manually or try out a specialized tool for such tasks like the excellent and free WinMerge.

Thanks, that winmerge did the trick.

Shame TC doesn't do it though.

Roolku

[icfu]

Just fyi, WinMerge doesn't accept handing overs of long file names when there are spaces in the path(s), seems to be a bug.

With

command: ..\WinMerge.exe /r /e
parameters: %p%n %t%m

everything works like a charme. It will compare whatever is highlighted, be it both [..] or be it files and folders in the panels.

I'm using the latest CVS version 2.1.5.15 now, pretty nice.

Icfu

[ghisler(Author)]

I find it too dangerous to select directorties in "compare dirs". Why? The content of the dirs will not be compared in this case, so it cannot be determined which one is newer.

[icfu]

Have you read the thread? Just curious.

WinMerge is able to synchronize files&folders, TC unfortunately is NOT!

If you find that marking folders in compare mode is too dangerous just add it to synchronize mode, that's what many people are waiting for especially for being able to find empty folders for example...

Icfu

[roolku]

I find it too dangerous to select directorties in "compare dirs". Why? The content of the dirs will not be compared in this case, so it cannot be determined which one is newer.

I believe in some file systems the directory takes the time of the newest file it contains (recursively).

But I can understand that you don't want to introduce new functionality to an existing feature. But there seems to be a need for this particular type of comparison - so maybe it could be added as a new command?

Cheers
Robert