file names column

[Vince197]

Hi All. I am running calibre under linux and have a need to show the file name associated with each ebook.I created a new column but I can't figure out the query. Everything I try seems to only check the meta data. I am sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't see reference in any other posts.

many thanks

Vince197

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Vince197

Hi All. I am running calibre under linux and have a need to show the file name associated with each ebook.I created a new column but I can't figure out the query. Everything I try seems to only check the meta data. I am sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't see reference in any other posts.

I've seen it talked about twice (here and here) but there was no easy answer to do what you are trying to do.

[Manichean]

What do you need the filename for? There might be an easier solution for what you're trying to do.

[Starson17]

Originally Posted by Vince197

Hi All. I am running calibre under linux and have a need to show the file name associated with each ebook.I created a new column but I can't figure out the query.

Dwanthny's links have my comments on this subject, but to be clear, once the file is in Calibre, there is no longer any access to the original filename. You have to grab the filename at the original import stage using either the method I described in the first link, or by adding code to do it.

I'm assuming that "the file name associated with each ebook" is the original filename, not the filename that Calibre has assigned. If you want the latter, you can construct it from the metadata.

[Vince197]

Many thanks Starson17 & dwanthny for the prompt replies.
I now have a much better idea of calibre and it's target application.
My need is for an simple ebook file manager to map the file names to the book names. NBD I will de-install and look for another tool.
pity...... calibre seems like a well written app.

thanks again

Vince197

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Vince197

Many thanks Starson17 & dwanthny for the prompt replies.

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by Vince197

My need is for an simple ebook file manager to map the file names to the book names.

I am still curious why you need this feature. How do you see mapping the file name to the book name being of benefit to you? You were unable to find a way to do what you asked because Calibre lets you export the book with whatever file name you like on the fly.

Originally Posted by Vince197

pity...... calibre seems like a well written app.

Pity? The pity is that Calibre may easily meet your needs, yet you are passing because of what seems on the surface to be a failure to understand Calibre's feature set.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

[drMerry]

Originally Posted by Vince197

Many thanks Starson17 & dwanthny for the prompt replies.
I now have a much better idea of calibre and it's target application.
My need is for an simple ebook file manager to map the file names to the book names. NBD I will de-install and look for another tool.
pity...... calibre seems like a well written app.

thanks again

Vince197

When do you want to map it.
A. Before it is copied to calibre (because the filename contains info about the book)
B. After it is calibre (because you want to link to it)


Both file-names can be used for mapping
A. Look into your settings. There you can tell calibre how to import books, and how to use the filename during import. You could just tell calibre not to use the metadata during import but just set the filename as author (you even can put a regex to split parts of the filename into author / series / ....

B. This is not a (big) problem either. All filenames are build in the same way:
CALIBREFOLDER/First Author/Title space (calibreid)/Title space - space First Author.Format
Author and title have max 40 characters
In the upper information " space " just means there is a space " " on that point
Strange characters are replaced e.g. é becomes e, non-letter-characters becomes _ (~,= etc)

So for B the only problem is you have to look for the calibre id. The rest is known by you

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by drMerry

B. This is not a (big) problem either. All filenames are build in the same way:
CALIBREFOLDER/First Author/Title space (calibreid)/Title space - space First Author.Format
Author and title have max 40 characters
In the upper information " space " just means there is a space " " on that point
Strange characters are replaced e.g. é becomes e, non-letter-characters becomes _ (~,= etc)

Well, that may be right, but you shouldn't mess about in Calibre's library folder unless terrible things happen to you. It is relatively easy to damage library integrity by messing around in the library folder. There's even a sticky explaining why you shouldn't.

[drMerry]

Originally Posted by Manichean

Well, that may be right, but you shouldn't mess about in Calibre's library folder unless terrible things happen to you. It is relatively easy to damage library integrity by messing around in the library folder. There's even a sticky explaining why you shouldn't.

Of-course.
Never change names there.
This is only a way to know the filename. So If you need a link to it or something from an extern program (link for direct reading or such)

Vince wanted a way to show file-names.
I do not know why he needs it, but this is the way to get that filename.
I had to put a warning though.

[Vince197]

Guys thanks for all your suggestions and comments. It's always nice to see a forum with such active contributers. I am a little amused though at the question of why would anybody want the original file name. It sounds a bit like an apple fanboy asking why anyone would want access to the CLI.
Just kidding guys...

I am setting up a server to manage about 10k of Gutenberg ebooks as part of a home library. The original file name is part of the Gutenberg naming system so should be preserved. When I get a chance, I'll probably just write a small app to link the file name to a subset of the meta data. Then publish to HTML.

thanks again

Vince197