Learning rsync - trouble with --exclude

pizzipie · 03-05-2022, 09:02 PM

Since 'luckybackup is on the way out at least with Ubuntu 20.04 I am just trying to learn about rsnyc.

Sample from luckybackup:

Code:

rsync -h --progress --stats -r -tgo -p -l -D --update --delete-after --delete-excluded
 --exclude=**/*tmp*/ 
 --exclude=**/*cache*/ 
 --exclude=**/*Cache*/ 
 --exclude=**~ 
 --exclude=/mnt/*/** 
 --exclude=/media/*/**
 --exclude=**/lost+found*/ 
 --exclude=/var/run/** 
 --exclude=/run/** 
 --exclude=/proc/** 
 --exclude=/dev/** 
 --exclude=/sys/** 
 --exclude=**/*Trash*/ 
 --exclude=**/*trash*/ 
 --exclude=**/.gvfs/ 
 /home/rick 
 /media/rick/2TB-HardDrive/E6510-20.04/home/rick/

Question, are the / */, /**, **/ symbols regex or something that luckybackup uses?? What do they mean?

I don't find anything like this in 'man regex' or other documentation I have been able to find.

My first attempt is this:

Code:

rsync -av -n --exclude Dbmysql/jquery --exclude Dbmysql/js --exclude Dbmysql/jquery-ui DBases rsyncDir

which works.
I also tried using:
--exclude {' Dbmysql/jquery', ' Dbmysql/js', 'Dbmysql/jquery-ui'} as given as a example on an internet site but doesn't work.
I also tried using --exclude-from='rsyncExclude.txt' which contains
Dbmysql/jquery
DBmysql/js
Dbmysql/jquery-ui
and does not work.

I havn't found any site to learn the correct syntax here so need help. hopefully with example.

Thanks R

descendant_command · 03-05-2022, 09:13 PM

There is explanation and examples in the rsync man page.

Turbocapitalist · 03-05-2022, 10:20 PM

The --exclude targets are better off inside quotes so that the shell does not process them first. I've found the --filter option easier in some context. But as mentioned already, check the manual page. It has the authoritative descriptions for both.

pizzipie · 03-06-2022, 06:27 PM

OK, I'll start over.

Please someone, tell me what --exclude=**/*trash*/ means?

(This is an excerpt from Luckybackup rsync code in association with other code that worked properly in creating a backup file.)

Thanks,
R

evo2 · 03-06-2022, 06:59 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzipie

OK, I'll start over.

Please someone, tell me what --exclude=**/*trash*/ means?

It specifies that files matching that rule should be ignored. You can understand exactly what that rule does by checking the rsync man page.
The "INCLUDE/EXCLUDE PATTERN RULES" section of the rsync man page is:

Code:

       o      if the pattern ends with a / then it will only match a directory, not a regular file, symlink, or device.

       o      rsync chooses between doing a simple string match and wildcard matching by checking if the pattern contains one of these three wildcard characters: '*', '?', and '[' .

       o      a '*' matches any path component, but it stops at slashes.

       o      use '**' to match anything, including slashes.

Evo2.

Skaperen · 03-06-2022, 07:18 PM

it means that any path with any number of parent directories with the last directory having the string "trash" in its name, will be excluded from being copied. if that directory already exists at the destination and appropriate ownership and permission exist (or remote rsync is running with effective root credentials) the non-directory objects in that *trash* directory will not be excluded (by this --exclude).

what are you wanting to accomplish?

if you want to exclude both a directory and file objects in it, you will need two excludes. i do this in bash like this:

Code:

--exclude='**'/${dirname}{,/'*'}

Skaperen · 03-06-2022, 07:28 PM

i always put, at least, the * inside quotes. in bash, if you are quoting the asterisks alone, you can use either single or double quotes.

astrogeek · 03-06-2022, 08:40 PM

Please post your thread in only once in one forum. Posting a single thread in the most relevant forum will make it easier for members to help you and will keep the discussion in one place. Your two threads for this question have been merged into this one.