what are conflicted copy .db and .json files?

mlevin77 · 07-24-2014, 09:09 PM

In my main library folder, alongside all of the folders of authors, I see some files called "metadata ... conflicted copy.db" and "metadata_db_prefs_backup...json" and Library Maintenance -> Check Library complains about them. Where do these files come from - should I delete them?

kovidgoyal · 07-24-2014, 11:24 PM

They come from whatever software you are using to sync your calibre library, probably dropbox. do not run dropbox at the same time as calibre

itimpi · 07-25-2014, 06:20 AM

It is worth mentioning that if you have the Conflicted Copy type files it means that the syncing software (DropBox?) did not know which was the most up-to-date version of the file. This can result in lost updates (and thus books) from your library if Dropbox has chosen the wrong one to use.

A typical cause of such an issue is running calibre on two different machines simultaneously. Calibre is a single user system and does not support such operation. It can also happen if Calibre was run at different times on two different machines and the DropBox sync process was not allowed to complete after exiting Calibre.

mlevin77 · 07-25-2014, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

They come from whatever software you are using to sync your calibre library, probably dropbox. do not run dropbox at the same time as calibre

aha! I will pursue with Dropbox people but can you tell me: assuming I NEVER access Calibre (or that folder) from more than one location at one time, why is it a bad idea to have the Calibre database folder on a Dropbox location? I am the only one who uses this folder. I have it on Dropbox so that I can access books from an Apple machine at work and an Apple machine at home. Therefore there's no potential for simultaneous editing of the folder (I can only run Calibre from one of those locations at a time). Can someone explain why this is problematic, and is there a better way to be able to access the library from 2 different machines?

mlevin77 · 07-25-2014, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

It can also happen if Calibre was run at different times on two different machines and the DropBox sync process was not allowed to complete after exiting Calibre.

ok so let me get this clear. The important thing is to make sure that Dropbox fully syncs when - after exiting Calibre and before re-starting it?

itimpi · 07-25-2014, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlevin77

aha! I will pursue with Dropbox people but can you tell me: assuming I NEVER access Calibre (or that folder) from more than one location at one time, why is it a bad idea to have the Calibre database folder on a Dropbox location? I am the only one who uses this folder. I have it on Dropbox so that I can access books from an Apple machine at work and an Apple machine at home. Therefore there's no potential for simultaneous editing of the folder (I can only run Calibre from one of those locations at a time). Can someone explain why this is problematic, and is there a better way to be able to access the library from 2 different machines?

The problem with sync software is that it can temporarily lock a file, and if during that period Calibre tries to rename or delete a file/folder you can end up with orphan folders in the library filestore. As long as you do not mind this then as long as you always finish a sync after exiting Calibre you should be OK.

mlevin77 · 07-25-2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

as long as you always finish a sync after exiting Calibre you should be OK.

so, after Exiting Calibre, I need to make sure Dropbox finishes sync before re-starting Calibre again - is that it?

itimpi · 07-25-2014, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlevin77

so, after Exiting Calibre, I need to make sure Dropbox finishes sync before re-starting Calibre again - is that it?

You could safely restart Calibre on the same machine again. What you must not do is start Calibre on another machine until DropBox servers has finished syncing up to DropBox from the first machine, and back down to the second machine as that would result in conflicated copies of files.

Most of the time this is painless as long as you have an active internet link on the machines as the syncing happens very quickly. It can be an issue if for any reason the machines do not have an active internet link so that immediate syncing does not happen.

mlevin77 · 07-25-2014, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

What you must not do is start Calibre on another machine until DropBox servers has finished syncing up to DropBox from the first machine, and back down to the second machine as that would result in conflicated copies of files.

got it, that's very useful, thanks all.

eschwartz · 07-25-2014, 12:28 PM

Also advisable to pause Dropbox while running calibre, to prevent Dropbox locking a file to sync it while calibre is trying to move/edit it.

07-24-2014, 09:09 PM	#1
mlevin77 Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: iPad	what are conflicted copy .db and .json files? In my main library folder, alongside all of the folders of authors, I see some files called "metadata ... conflicted copy.db" and "metadata_db_prefs_backup...json" and Library Maintenance -> Check Library complains about them. Where do these files come from - should I delete them?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Conflicted about Paperwhite	Jbthompson	Amazon Kindle	24	10-26-2012 08:41 AM
Copy files from PC while reading	Darth W	General Discussions	17	10-12-2012 04:44 PM
Where should I copy files to now?	thorne	enTourage Archive	2	09-27-2010 03:59 PM
PRS-900 Conflicted	yessirrom	Sony Reader	6	01-21-2010 04:06 PM
gmail copy (gmcp) - Perl script to copy files to/from Gmail	Colin Dunstan	Lounge	0	09-04-2004 01:24 PM

07-24-2014, 11:24 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	They come from whatever software you are using to sync your calibre library, probably dropbox. do not run dropbox at the same time as calibre

07-25-2014, 06:20 AM	#3
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	It is worth mentioning that if you have the Conflicted Copy type files it means that the syncing software (DropBox?) did not know which was the most up-to-date version of the file. This can result in lost updates (and thus books) from your library if Dropbox has chosen the wrong one to use. A typical cause of such an issue is running calibre on two different machines simultaneously. Calibre is a single user system and does not support such operation. It can also happen if Calibre was run at different times on two different machines and the DropBox sync process was not allowed to complete after exiting Calibre.

07-25-2014, 12:28 PM	#10
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Also advisable to pause Dropbox while running calibre, to prevent Dropbox locking a file to sync it while calibre is trying to move/edit it.

Advert

Advert