File Directory Merge Without Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for merging file directories are inefficient due to the need for copying and deleting files, which can be slow and unnecessary.
Innovation Solution
A merge method that determines whether a source item is a file or subdirectory and moves it to the destination directory without copying, using a sequence of MOVE operations that only address conflicts, thereby avoiding unnecessary copying and deletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional copying and deleting method is used to merge file directories, then file merging can be completed, but the merging process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle in reverse - instead of copying files to merge directories, it uses move operations that transfer files directly without creating copies. This eliminates the time-consuming copy and delete cycles of traditional methods, achieving instantaneous merging when no conflicts exist and significantly improving merging speed overall.
2Productivity
If files are copied and then deleted in traditional merging, then destination directory is updated, but unnecessary copying and deletion operations slow down the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of file merging - transferring files from source to destination - and removes the unnecessary copy and delete operations. By using direct move operations, it simplifies the merging process to only the essential actions needed, eliminating redundant operations and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of following the traditional sequence of copy then delete, the patent inverts the approach by using move operations that combine both functions into a single action. This reversal of the traditional method eliminates the need for separate copy and delete steps, reducing the number of operations required.
Data Source
AI summary
A merge method includes determining whether a source item in a source file directory is a file or a subdirectory. If the source item is a file, any conflicting items in a destination file directory are deleted and the file is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the file. If the source item is a subdirectory that has no corresponding destination subdirectory in the destination file directory, the subdirectory is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the subdirectory. If the source item is a subdirectory that does have a corresponding destination subdirectory, the merge method is repeated for each item of the source subdirectory.