portable database?

[sn123py]

Hi,

is it possible to store the database (and ebook-files) on removable disk and use them on two different Computers with an portable Version of calibre?

I tried to copy the database-file (metadata.db) along with the ebooks onto removable disk, removed the entry "library_path" from global.py and tried to import the database on removable disk -> calibre crashed ...

Any chance of putting calibre itself on removable disk and get settings from a global.py in program-directory (maybe with a non-absolut path)?

regards,
Friedhelm.

[itimpi]

There is no problem with the Calibre database and books being on a removable drive if calibre is already installed on both machines. Simply use the option in Calibre to change the location of the library/metadata files to the portable drive after starting up Calibre.

As to the question as to whether it is possible to avoid installing calibre on machines and running purely from the remvable drive I have no idea - hopefully Kovid or someone else will have a view on this when they come online. Intriguing idea though.

[kovidgoyal]

Use the --with-library option to the command calibre to start it with a library located elsewhere.

calibre is not fully portable since it uses standard locations to dave config options, but if you dont care about config options eing portable, it should be perfectly possible to run it from a removable disk.

[Amalthia]

I think the reason people like portable applications on usb is because we can't always install Calibre on work computers but would still like acess to the program.

[astrodad]

Originally Posted by Amalthia

I think the reason people like portable applications on usb is because we can't always install Calibre on work computers but would still like acess to the program.

True, there is no portable version of calibre since it requires the Python runtime to be installed. So while you can take your database with you, the program needs to be installed on each system.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by jplumey

True, there is no portable version of calibre since it requires the Python runtime to be installed. So while you can take your database with you, the program needs to be installed on each system.

No calibre does not need python to be installed

[sn123py]

this is oh so cool.

• installed calibre and created a database.
• moved database including subfolders to icy-box (drive g:, folder calibre-db)
• moved calibre program directory to icy-box (drive g:, folder calibre)
• removed the folder calibre in AppData\Roaming (pretending a new computer)
• created a bat-file on icy-box (drive g:, folder \) with content below.

@echo off
cd calibre
calibre.exe --with-library  ..\calibre-db

works like a charme. so, from now, calibre is portable (ok, settings are reset on every new Computer, buts that is work, i'll do with a smile)

Suggestion: how about a calibre-zip without installer? so one could simply unpack this zipfile and has the base for a portable application?

this will surely be one of my new favourite apps :-)

greetings,
Friedhelm.

[kovidgoyal]

Cool, next release of calibre will have support for the environment variable

CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY

As for a zip file release, creating such a zip file is trivial, since all you have to do is install the exe insaller, and then zip up the calibre directory.

[sn123py]

*smile*

[ilovejedd]

Portable Calibre sounds awesome. I see the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY is already implemented. Where do I change it?

[kovidgoyal]

it's an environment variable. calibre will use it to determine where to read config files from.

[Format C:]

So, you can make three directories for the Linux/OSX/Windows binaries, one for the database and create three batch/shell script to set the environment variables and launch the application....

A real cross-platform application...

[ilovejedd]

Okay, so just read up on environment variables since I had no idea what they were. How do I create a DOS/Windows batch file that automatically changes the config path relative to the location of Calibre?

Say I have the following directory structure:

PortableCalibre
|- Calibre (copy of install directory)
|- config (location of settings)
|- calibre-db (location of database and books)
|- portablecalibre.bat

Will the following batch file work (portablecalibre.bat):

@echo off
cd config
setlocal
set CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY = %cd%
cd..
cd calibre
calibre.exe --with-library  ..\calibre-db
endlocal

Another question, if Calibre is already installed on the PC, am I correct in assuming the above batch file would only change settings for "portable calibre" and the version installed on the computer would be unaffected by the path change?

Thanks!

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Okay, so just read up on environment variables since I had no idea what they were. How do I create a DOS/Windows batch file that automatically changes the config path relative to the location of Calibre?

Say I have the following directory structure:


Will the following batch file work (portablecalibre.bat):

@echo off
cd config
setlocal
set CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY = %cd%
cd..
cd calibre
calibre.exe --with-library  ..\calibre-db
endlocal

Another question, if Calibre is already installed on the PC, am I correct in assuming the above batch file would only change settings for "portable calibre" and the version installed on the computer would be unaffected by the path change?

Thanks!

Also add the portable calibre directory to the beginning of your PATH. I'm not bat file expert, so I'll defer answering that to someone who is

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Also add the portable calibre directory to the beginning of your PATH. I'm not bat file expert, so I'll defer answering that to someone who is

Thanks. I just did a quick check (echo %cd%) and %cd% gives you the full path of the current directory. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping it will work.