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File sync and its different types

File sync and its different types

During the last several years, many types of file sync and sync software appeared on the market. All file sync software contains a bundle of features that sometimes differ from the other sync software programs but in most cases they are identical.

The most important thing about any compare directories software is the method used to synchronize folders. There are two main methods, mirroring and two- way file sync. Both methods are popular and used in different cases. Each of the two methods has their own pros and cons.

- Mirror type folder sync

In this method there is an original folder and target folder. When you tend to synchronize folders, the software will compare the target folder to the original folder and if there are any modifications added to the original folder then it will be copied to the target one. This method of file sync is called one- way synchronization because; if there are modifications in the target folder it will not be copied to the original folder. Only the modifications applied to the original file will be copied to the target folder. This method of folder sync is very helpful in certain cases. For example, if there is a base blueprint that several developers or engineers are working on and each developer is doing his own version by applying certain features to his copy with no relation to other engineers or developers. Then, after a while the manager wants to apply some modifications to the basic blue print that all of the developers are working on.

The best way to do this is by applying the modification to a copy of basic blue print and use it as original folder. Then, apply mirror folder sync with every developer's version of the blue print.

At the end of file sync process, you will have the basic modifications transferred to every single version and the basic file was not affected by the modifications done by each developer.

- Two way folder sync

This method is used to synchronize folder in both directions, meaning that there is no original and target folders. If there is any modification in a folder then it will be copied to the other folder. This method is helpful if the developers are working in synergy on the same thing so they can work on it simultaneously no matter where they are.

The easiest way to explain such folder sync method is that, if several developers are working on a folder that needs ten modifications. In the first day, the developer number one succeeded in applying the first modification. In the beginning of the next day, all of them applied the folder sync software to their files and updated the version that each of them is working on, so when they open the folders on day two, they will start applying the second modification directly.

In the previous example, if the developers did not synchronize folders then every single one of them will have to do all the needed modifications on his own and this is considered a wasted time and repeated work.

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