Question about export\import

Arrow · 07-18-2019, 07:36 AM

Hi,

I recently made an import of all my library from a laptop into a desktop hdd.

My problem is that after export the folders are not the same size (desktop folder shows less size and files) BUT i have compared both Calibre libraries and they have the same amount of books and all the same features.

I don't really remember if i did any change in the laptop's library in between the process, but i don't think so.

How do i know if i did everything right or should i copy the entire library main folder into the desktop instead of import/export? Is there a way to quantify everything to be sure both libraries are a full 100% copy?

kovidgoyal · 07-18-2019, 08:17 AM

There could bejunk files in your old library folder that the export import process will discard. Run check licbrary to see that ont he old computer

Arrow · 07-18-2019, 10:09 AM

I did, and still around 400 mb, ~20 thousand files and ~900 folders difference.

I've checked all main preferences and configs, and everything seems alike. Same total of books and authors, icons are present, yes\no seems correct, custom columns, even saved searches. I can't find a major error and 20 thousand files just seems too much.

I must presume that when the import was created, it erased many junk files. It's probably the best explanation. I think.

BetterRed · 07-18-2019, 06:05 PM

Did you run Library Maintenance->Library Check as suggested by KG. Export won't copy anything that's not in the database - the third stage of Library check will report such things. And, the calibre GUI would not see such things on the old library.

You could try a folder/file comparison tool ==>> Comparison of file comparison tools - Wikipedia

I have Beyond Compare.

BR

Arrow · 07-21-2019, 08:45 AM

Yes i did, and nothing happened.

However, i found out where the differences are: as far as i can tell, the export didn't copy any metadata.opf files at all. I only have the ebook itself and the cover.

Regarding the folders difference, i think that is related to my physical books entries: the new calibre collection does not recognize any empty folder (meaning those books where i didn't add any cover yet).

kovidgoyal · 07-21-2019, 09:25 AM

metadata.opf files are just backups they will be automatically re-generated in the new library with time. And empty books wiht no files are simple datbase entries so until their bacup metadata.opf file is generated, they will not be present on the filesystem

Arrow · 07-22-2019, 12:41 PM

Alright, so i'm confident that everything was correctly done, and i have a full 100% backup. Thank you all.

07-18-2019, 07:36 AM	#1
Arrow Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: none	Question about export\import Hi, I recently made an import of all my library from a laptop into a desktop hdd. My problem is that after export the folders are not the same size (desktop folder shows less size and files) BUT i have compared both Calibre libraries and they have the same amount of books and all the same features. I don't really remember if i did any change in the laptop's library in between the process, but i don't think so. How do i know if i did everything right or should i copy the entire library main folder into the desktop instead of import/export? Is there a way to quantify everything to be sure both libraries are a full 100% copy?

07-18-2019, 06:05 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,550 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Did you run Library Maintenance->Library Check as suggested by KG. Export won't copy anything that's not in the database - the third stage of Library check will report such things. And, the calibre GUI would not see such things on the old library. You could try a folder/file comparison tool ==>> Comparison of file comparison tools - Wikipedia I have Beyond Compare. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 07-19-2019 at 03:31 AM. Reason: first para

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Export/Import	JP91306	Library Management	3	09-21-2018 01:42 AM
Export/Import all Calibre data - import error	IanKBrown	Calibre	5	02-15-2017 08:32 PM
Import/Export Calibre	dc696969	Library Management	3	12-27-2015 09:31 AM
Export - Import	jsbt	Library Management	2	01-24-2014 02:15 PM
Import/Export	Scullion	Calibre	2	08-03-2009 01:15 AM

07-18-2019, 08:17 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,842 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	There could bejunk files in your old library folder that the export import process will discard. Run check licbrary to see that ont he old computer

07-18-2019, 10:09 AM	#3
Arrow Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: none	I did, and still around 400 mb, ~20 thousand files and ~900 folders difference. I've checked all main preferences and configs, and everything seems alike. Same total of books and authors, icons are present, yes\no seems correct, custom columns, even saved searches. I can't find a major error and 20 thousand files just seems too much. I must presume that when the import was created, it erased many junk files. It's probably the best explanation. I think.

07-21-2019, 08:45 AM	#5
Arrow Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: none	Yes i did, and nothing happened. However, i found out where the differences are: as far as i can tell, the export didn't copy any metadata.opf files at all. I only have the ebook itself and the cover. Regarding the folders difference, i think that is related to my physical books entries: the new calibre collection does not recognize any empty folder (meaning those books where i didn't add any cover yet).

07-21-2019, 09:25 AM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,842 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	metadata.opf files are just backups they will be automatically re-generated in the new library with time. And empty books wiht no files are simple datbase entries so until their bacup metadata.opf file is generated, they will not be present on the filesystem

07-22-2019, 12:41 PM	#7
Arrow Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: none	Alright, so i'm confident that everything was correctly done, and i have a full 100% backup. Thank you all.

Advert

Advert