RealtimeSync
- Automated Synchronization -

RealtimeSync is a small tool which executes a command line each time it detects changes in one of the monitored directories or a directory becomes available (e. g. insert of a USB-stick). Usually this command line will simply trigger a FreeFileSync batch job.

Example: Real time synchronization - in combination with FreeFileSync

First start up RealtimeSync.exe located in FreeFileSync's installation directory. Then specify all directories that shall be monitored. Instead of doing this manually you can import a *.ffs_batch file via Menu -> File -> Load configuration. This not only extracts all directories relevant for synchronization but also sets up the command line to execute the *.ffs_batch file each time changes are detected. Now press "Start" to begin monitoring.

Note:

• The command-line should not block the progress. If a FreeFileSync batch file is called make sure it is running "minimized" and "error handling” is set to "ignore errors" or "exit instantly".
   

• The settings dialog can be skipped by passing a RealtimeSync configuration file (*.ffs_real) or a FreeFileSync batch file (*.ffs_batch) as first command-line argument to RealtimeSync.exe. This allows for integration with the operating system's auto start facility:
        "C:\Program Files\FreeFileSync\RealtimeSync.exe" "C:\MyConfig.ffs_real"
        "C:\Program Files\FreeFileSync\RealtimeSync.exe" "C:\SyncJob.ffs_batch"
   

• Using RealtimeSync is not restricted to starting FreeFileSync. It can also be used in other scenarios, like sending an email whenever a certain directory is modified.
   

• If you schedule a Windows batch file (.bat, .cmd), see notes in Batch Scripting.

Example: Automatic synchronization when USB stick is inserted

Save the relevant configuration on the USB stick's root directory to have it called when the stick is mounted. Then configure RealtimeSync as shown in the following:

Whenever directory "H:\Data" becomes available, the command line executes and starts the batch job on the stick. Additionally it also starts the batch job each time files are modified in "H:\Data".

Note:
The name of the last changed file is written to an environment variable named "changed_file".

Example: Show names of changed files or directories. (Windows)

Show which file or directory has triggered a change. Enter command line:
    cmd /c echo "%changed_file%" & pause

Write a list of all changes to a logfile:
    cmd /c echo "%changed_file%" >> c:\log.txt

Limitations:

• If multiple changes happen at the same time, only the name of the first file is written to variable "changed_file".

• While RealtimeSync is executing the command line, monitoring is inactive and changes occurring during this time are lost.