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Resolved Question

Match contents of a folder with another folder for duplicate

Jan 26, 2013 11:47AM PST

Finding/deleting duplicate files is a much discussed topic. I searched before posting . . . over 4700 pages that I reviewed. Maybe my question has been covered, but not in the 1st several pages. Sorry if this is a duplicate question (pun intended).

I would like to compare the filenames (only, not contents) in FolderA &/or subfolders to FolderB &/or subfolders. Software that I've found so far has found all duplicates. That's not really what I want. I don't want duplicates that are only in FolderB.

FolderA
....File1
....File2
....File3

FolderB
....SubfolderA
........File2
........File3
........File4
....SubfolderB
........File1
........File3
........File5

I want File1 flagged as a duplicate, because it is in both FolderA & FolderB.

I do NOT want File3 flagged. Even tho' it is duplicated in FolderB, it is not in FolderA.

If I really had my 'druthers, I'd like to be able to compare the 1st-# or the last# of characters of the filenames.

I want the option of only identifying, NOT deleting. I'll handle that separately.

Will any shareware do that? Or stratagies?

Discussion is locked

jarhtmd has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Finding Duplicate Files
Jan 31, 2013 9:53PM PST
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Answer
So you need a custom app?
Jan 27, 2013 2:19AM PST

There are good programming tools out there so this sounds you looked at thousands of web pages and didn't find what you want.

Not all apps have been written so when you find something that hasn't been done, you either write it or have it written.
Bob

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Sarcastic reply doesn't help
Jan 27, 2013 5:08AM PST
R. Proffitt said, " . . . when you find something that hasn't been done, you either write it or have it written."
Gee, thanks so much, Bob.

Just because I couldn't find it doesn't mean it hasn't been written. My asking here is part of my continuing search effort. Am I under the wrong impression that this forum is for helping others, gaining / sharing information . . . NOT for ridiculing those of us who happen to be "less informed"?

I've since found DoubleKiller (http://www.bigbangenterprises.de), which will accomplish the "main" part of my need. Again, my druthers would allow matching on specific characters positions within the file names.
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Sarcastic reply doesn't help.
Jan 27, 2013 5:41AM PST

Actually Bob is right in his post. If you are looking for something that isn't there you make it yourself.
Dafydd. Wales.

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Sorry but it was not that at all.
Jan 28, 2013 2:45AM PST

Some folk need to put it all up on the table about apps they want but can't find. Businesses have done this often and I'm an author of custom apps for a few companies over the years.

What you are asking for should be something your 2nd year programming student can tackle.

But look at your response. It could put off those that write such and they may elect to not work with you.
Bob

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Thanks, Bob
Jan 28, 2013 8:17AM PST

Thanks, Bob. I appreciate your remarks & apologize for the tone of my comments. Maybe I misunderstand the purpose of this forum. My intent was to ask if anyone had any knowledge/recommendations of existing software. I've asked similar questions (at other times & in other forums) & gotten yes/no answers. I always try to find answers before posting to any forum & I tried to indicate that I had done so. Asking before looking is, imho, the lazy way out and wastes the time & effort of others. I had looked, but not found. Maybe I had looked in the wrong places; searched the wrong words, etc. I viewed my posting here as simply more searching.

I am not a business; nor am I looking for someone to write an application for me. I have a (1-time) need (for a personal project) & was having trouble finding an application that would do what I want. If the purpose of this forum is to find/hire "contractors", then I'm definitely in the wrong place.

It appears that DuplicateKiller Pro will handle all my current needs.

PS....In all honesty (& no hard feelings intended), I have to say that your comment, "What you are asking for should be something your 2nd year programming student can tackle" comes across (to me) as a real put down.

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Not at all.
Jan 28, 2013 8:28AM PST

Sorry but it's just above your first app you write but not quite what we expect from graduates. It's somewhere in the middle.

That is, your first app in my opinion should be easier than this one but get a few done and then you are ready.

The app in question could be crafted with any of the free Visual Studio languages but it appears I upset you and I didn't mean to. I thought I'd cover the other angle of app creation when we can't find ready to use.

Bob