Read Only Calibre

tn4w · 12-08-2022, 09:47 AM

I'd like to see this feature as I often get the "database is locked" error. There is a script I run which continuously adds books to Calibre. While it is running, sometimes I want to check how many books are added and check added book covers.

What about introducing a command line switch which makes the program copy the default library database file with a temporary file name when starting the program and loads the copied database and deletes it after closing the program?

JSWolf · 12-08-2022, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tn4w

I'd like to see this feature as I often get the "database is locked" error. There is a script I run which continuously adds books to Calibre. While it is running, sometimes I want to check how many books are added and check added book covers.

What about introducing a command line switch which makes the program copy the default library database file with a temporary file name when starting the program and loads the copied database and deletes it after closing the program?

Forget the script and just add these eBooks when the GUI is running.

DaltonST · 12-08-2022, 10:37 AM

Simply use the CalibreSpy plugin that runs from the command line without the Calibre GUI running, and is always read-only. Multiple instances can be executed simultaneously for the same or different Calibre Libraries, while the Calibre GUI is not running.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=310103

DaltonST

BetterRed · 12-08-2022, 04:19 PM

↑ ↑ ↑ ✔

I use calibre-spy for tangentially similar reasons.

Moderator Notice

Moved into a fresh thread, be careful about adding to very old threads ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=192555.

tn4w · 12-08-2022, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaltonST

Simply use the CalibreSpy plugin that runs from the command line without the Calibre GUI running, and is always read-only. Multiple instances can be executed simultaneously for the same or different Calibre Libraries, while the Calibre GUI is not running.

It just crashes Calibre on my system and I'm unable to even grasp what it does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Moved into a fresh thread, be careful about adding to very old threads.

The old topic you separated is directly relevant and shows there are users who need it even back in 2012 which is 10 years ago.

Such an action gives an impression to forum visitors that the Calibre project downplays users' feedback.

slm · 12-08-2022, 11:36 PM

Another way to interact with Calibre as "read-only" is to use the Calibre server on a browser. If you don't set up password authorization, the server provides pretty good read-only access to Calibre.

kovidgoyal · 12-08-2022, 11:44 PM

The database is only part of a library. copying the metadata file is not sufficient, you need to copy the entire library folder. And make sure you dont use any multi library actions like copy to library or switching libraries. And if you want to do that, write a 5 line script to do it for you.

calibre itself is never going to be read-only (and note that even if it was read only you would still get database locked errors, since reading from a database will prevent other processes from writing to it).

12-08-2022, 09:47 AM	#1
tn4w Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2022 Device: Windows 10	Read Only Calibre I'd like to see this feature as I often get the "database is locked" error. There is a script I run which continuously adds books to Calibre. While it is running, sometimes I want to check how many books are added and check added book covers. What about introducing a command line switch which makes the program copy the default library database file with a temporary file name when starting the program and loads the copied database and deletes it after closing the program?

12-08-2022, 10:37 AM	#3
DaltonST Deviser Posts: 2,265 Karma: 2090983 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Texas Device: none	CalibreSpy GUI Plugin is Always Read-Only & Command Line Simply use the CalibreSpy plugin that runs from the command line without the Calibre GUI running, and is always read-only. Multiple instances can be executed simultaneously for the same or different Calibre Libraries, while the Calibre GUI is not running. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=310103 DaltonST Last edited by DaltonST; 12-08-2022 at 12:21 PM.

12-08-2022, 04:19 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,018 Karma: 30277294 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	↑ ↑ ↑ ✔ I use calibre-spy for tangentially similar reasons. Moderator Notice Moved into a fresh thread, be careful about adding to very old threads ==>> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=192555. Last edited by BetterRed; 12-09-2022 at 01:06 AM.

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12-08-2022, 11:36 PM	#6
slm Fool Posts: 499 Karma: 4660650 Join Date: Feb 2003 Device: Kindle: Voyage,PW1,KOA, Kobo: Clara Colour, Nook GLP, Pocketbook verse	Another way to interact with Calibre as "read-only" is to use the Calibre server on a browser. If you don't set up password authorization, the server provides pretty good read-only access to Calibre.

12-08-2022, 11:44 PM	#7
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,609 Karma: 28549044 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The database is only part of a library. copying the metadata file is not sufficient, you need to copy the entire library folder. And make sure you dont use any multi library actions like copy to library or switching libraries. And if you want to do that, write a 5 line script to do it for you. calibre itself is never going to be read-only (and note that even if it was read only you would still get database locked errors, since reading from a database will prevent other processes from writing to it).