Method for copying all files in a folder?

[Nathan White]

Is there a method or command in Xbasic to copy all the files in named folder from one location to another, without individually listing every file in the folder? (for example, there is file.copy for files)



NATHAN WHITE

[forskare]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Nathan,
"From one location to another"? What's the another? Another folder? Another Drive? What is your reason for wanting to do this? Your answers will provider clearer direction.

kenn

[Nathan White]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Ken:

It is my intention to be able to copy whole folders from the database to workstations without having to use extensive programming and to insure that all files are copied.

[Lowell Wardlow]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Nathan, just out of curiosity, why would you want to do that ? Are you talking about the data files (.dbf), or the application programs ?

Lowell

[forskare]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Yah, that's what I am wondering? Is he talking about upgrades to the app? Get the right install program and that shouldn't be an issue.

kenn

[Nathan White]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Let us think of windows95,98,2000. While using the explorer to manage your files, you can click on a file or folder and copy-and-paste it where ever you would like. If you copy a folder it will take that folder and all of its contents and paste them where you would like it to be. A5V4 has a feature file.copy(), which happens to copy a particular file you designate, to a location of your choice. What about copying folders and all of its contents? I would like to know if there is a way to reference a folder name and have it copy that folder name (and all of its contents without having to reference each individual file in the folder) and paste it to a location of my choice. Maybe something like folder.copy()? I don't know.

You ask why. My answer is "for updating files automatically if there is something changed in a program." I do not wish to use Network Optimization. My second reason for this desired feature is simply "because I want to." As programmers I'm sure you can relate. It is a hassle to have to reference several files at once. Imagine if windows wouldn't let you move folders or groups of folders with one click of the button. MS would be out of business. When I write code, I want the code to be as flexible and as forgiving as possible. By referencing whole folders, I can remove and add files to those folders for updates and modifications without going back and rewriting a bunch of code in other programs.

[Stan Mathews]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

You sould use the

DIM file_names[250] AS C ' or some number of your choosing

dir_put("yourdirectory")
files = filefind.first("*.*")
i = 1
WHILE .not. files.eof()
file_names[I] = files.name()
files.next()
i = i + 1
END WHILE

to build a list of files to be copied. Then you could feed these names to a file_copy(old,new) command.

[Nathan White]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

THANK YOU!
That was the answer I was looking for. If you were here, I would give you a cigar. :-)



NATHAN

[csda1]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Stan,

Would you believe that operation will not work if the file in the folders do not have at least one attribute set (e.g. the archive bit). This is a bug (acknowledged by Selwyn) in the

filefind.first("*.*")
files.next()

functions that is replaced in version 5 with a new (faster and better) function.
Till then, I would suggest using a call to a DOS shell to either find files, change attributes, or copy files.

Regards,

Ira J. Perlow
Computer Systems Design & Associates
[email protected]

[forskare]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Nathan,

Are there any negative aspects of copying an entire folder rather than just the updated files?

kenn

[Daniel Weiss]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

I have set up some utilities on my client�s servers to run every night, before I run my utility�s I like to backup the entire folder containing the database (in addition to there tape backup). I want to keep a full weeks backup so if its Monday I name the folder �folder name� + Monday etc.

There is just one rule you have stick to in order for this script to work, you cant use any spaces when naming the folders you want to copy, but you could use long names. If you use spaces Ms Dos will return an error "invalid number of parameters"

This is the part of the script that runs the backup

s_file = :a5.get_path()
d_file = :a5.get_path()+cdow(date())
filename = left(:a5.get_path(),3)+"copytemp.bat"
file_pointer = file.create(filename, FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
file_pointer.write("xcopy "+s_file+" "+chr(47)+"e"+chr(47)+"c"+chr(47)+"i "+d_file)
file_pointer.flush()
file_pointer.close()
sys_shell(filename)


Try it
Daniel Weiss

[csda1]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Daniel

If you put double quotes(chr(34)) around the filepath/name, DOS will accept directories and file names with spaces in them.

Also, you should not use :a5.get_path() for a temporary file. This should be in your private directory. Otherwise, two network users running the script simultaneously would step on each other with batch file. Again, use chr(34) around the file specification to allow for spaces in the path.

This is the changed script:

s_file = :a5.get_path()
d_file = :a5.get_path()+cdow(date())
filename = :a5.get_private_path()+chr(92)+"copytemp.bat"
file_pointer = file.create(filename, FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
file_pointer.write("xcopy "+chr(34)+s_file+chr(34)+" "+chr(47)+"e"+chr(47)+"c"+chr(47)+"i "+chr(34)+d_file+chr(34))
file_pointer.flush()
file_pointer.close()
sys_shell(chr(34)+filename+chr(34))

Regards,

Ira J. Perlow
Computer Systems Design & Associates
[email protected]

[Daniel Weiss]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Thanks Ira,
I also for forgot to include the �y� parameter that suppresses to conform you want to overwrite an existing destination file this needs to be added �+chr(47)+"y��
About the issue of two network users running the script simultaneously would step on each other with batch file. That�s a good taught, but I set this script up that it could only run from the server and the script first shots down all workstations
The script is scheduled to run at 11 pm each night and the first thing the script dose is,

getpath = :A5.Get_Master_Path()
if getpath ""
a5.close()
end if

But anyways it is a good suggestion and I will change my scripts accordingly
Thanks again
Daniel Weiss

[Terry Morgan]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

You may also (via a script)be able to copy the folder to the clipboard and then paste the folder - I'm afraid I haven't tried this or written the script for you but I think it may well work.
Terry

[Nathan White]

RE: Method for copying all files in a folder?

Thanks to everyone that has responded. I'm going to print all these suggestions and keep them for my file. Excellent.

One more question if I may.
Is .name() a character variable or a pointer? The reference manual states "Returns the name of the current file in the list of files referenced by the object pointer, ."



NATHAN