How do I use the rsync tool to copy only the hidden files and directory (such as ~/.ssh/, ~/.foo, and so on) from /home/jobs directory to the /mnt/usb directory under Unix like operating system?
The rsync program is used for synchronizing files over a network or local disks. To view or display only hidden files with ls command:
ls -ld ~/.??*
OR
ls -ld ~/.[^.]*
Sample outputs: Fig:01 ls command to view only hidden files
rsync not synchronizing all hidden .dot files?
In this example, you used the pattern .[^.]* or .??* to select and display only hidden files using ls command. You can use the same pattern with any Unix command including rsync command. The syntax is as follows to copy hidden files with rsync:
In this example, copy all hidden files from my home directory to /mnt/test:
rsync -avzP ~/.[^.]*/mnt/test
rsync -avzP ~/.[^.]* /mnt/test
Sample outputs: Fig.02 Rsync example to copy only hidden files
Posted by: Vivek Gite
The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.
Wouldn’t “.??*” leave out files like .a, .b, etc.?
Noop. Any details on ls version and Unix may help if you are not getting the same result.
ls -l ./.??*
-rw-r--r-- 1 John John 0 Nov 11 11:54 ./.a,
-rw-r--r-- 1 John John 0 Nov 11 11:54 ./.b,
-rw-r--r-- 1 John John 0 Nov 11 11:54 ./.ssh
./.rss:
total 0
root@node0 / # cd /tmp root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .??* ls: cannot access .??*: No such file or directory 2 root@node0 /tmp # touch .a .b root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .??* ls: cannot access .??*: No such file or directory 2 root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .[^.]* -rw-r–r–. 1 root root 0 Nov 11 23:07 .a -rw-r–r–. 1 root root 0 Nov 11 23:07 .b root@node0 /tmp # ls –version ls (GNU coreutils) 8.4 Copyright (C) 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later . This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
Written by Richard M. Stallman and David MacKenzie.
I love your website – Keep up the good work!
Maybe you are not using bash or a bash compatible shell?
Thanks!! Makes sense when you figure ~/.??* means anything that starts with a dot, has 2 more random chars, then everything after it (as to ignore . and .. ). Easy peasy, and will work for a million years! Thanks again!
6 comment
Wouldn’t “.??*” leave out files like .a, .b, etc.?
Noop. Any details on ls version and Unix may help if you are not getting the same result.
root@node0 / # cd /tmp
root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .??*
ls: cannot access .??*: No such file or directory
2 root@node0 /tmp # touch .a .b
root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .??*
ls: cannot access .??*: No such file or directory
2 root@node0 /tmp # ls -ld .[^.]*
-rw-r–r–. 1 root root 0 Nov 11 23:07 .a
-rw-r–r–. 1 root root 0 Nov 11 23:07 .b
root@node0 /tmp # ls –version
ls (GNU coreutils) 8.4
Copyright (C) 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later .
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
Written by Richard M. Stallman and David MacKenzie.
I love your website – Keep up the good work!
Maybe you are not using bash or a bash compatible shell?
Thanks!! Makes sense when you figure ~/.??* means anything that starts with a dot, has 2 more random chars, then everything after it (as to ignore . and .. ). Easy peasy, and will work for a million years! Thanks again!