Detecting system changes with Dnotify
FILE RESCUE
We'll show you how you can avoid the tragedy of lost files with a transparent, Perl-based version control system.
During early phases of a project, developers tend to experiment with various options, and sometimes it is too early to save prototypes in the version control system. If you haven’t set up a repository, or if you haven’t been able to agree on its structure, you might find yourself working without a safety net. In this case, good code might fall victim to an over-zealous rm * or your editor’s delete command. This month’s Perl script, noworries, can give you automatic version control. Whenever you save a file with your editor, and whenever you use the shell to manipulate files using commands like rm or mv, a daemon hidden in the background receives a message. When it does, it picks up the new or modified file, and uses RCS to version the file. All of this is transparent to the user. Figure 1 shows a user creating and then deleting a new file in the Shell. Without some Perl wizardry, the file, myfile would have been gone for good, but calling noworries -l myfile tells us that the versioner created a backup copy just 17 seconds earlier. noworries -r 1.1 myfile retrieves the file and writes its content to STDOUT.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.