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California
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Arkhiver - Director

 

Outline for Developing "Arkhiver Director"

Here is a breakdown of the features you've requested, ordered by complexity, along with an overview of how to approach developing the app in a modular fashion, as well as some implementation ideas.

Phase 1: Core Features (Basic File Management)

  1. Drive/Folder Scanning and Report Generation (Already Implemented)

    • Feature: Scan a directory or drive and create a report in a JSON format (as we've already done).

    • View: Visualize the scanned structure in a File Tree View like FreeFileSync.

    • Approach: Enhance the existing tkinter interface with a better file tree, using ttk.Treeview for hierarchical folder representation.

  2. Empty Folder Detection and Deletion

    • Feature: Search for and delete empty folders.

    • Approach: Use os.walk() to check for empty directories and add an option to delete them after confirming with the user.

    • Complexity: Low (easy to iterate over folders and check if they're empty).

Phase 2: Advanced File Operations

  1. File Renaming Based on Presets (Meta-Data Integration)

    • Feature: Provide a UI for customizing file renaming patterns based on presets. For example, the renaming scheme could use <Date-Taken> <FileName> <Tag>, extracted from EXIF metadata or other file properties.

    • Approach: Use Pillow to extract EXIF data from images and the Python os library to rename files.

    • Complexity: Medium (involves adding a UI for naming presets and handling various file types).

  2. Meta-Data Editing (Date/Time Modification)

    • Feature: Change file dates (created, modified, or taken) and allow the user to extract the date from the file name and apply it to the file properties.

    • Approach: You can use os.utime() to change the file's modification and creation times. For more advanced EXIF data manipulation, you can use libraries like exifread or Pillow.

    • Complexity: Medium (involves parsing and modifying file metadata).

Phase 3: Synchronization and Duplicates

  1. File/Folder Synchronization (One-Way, Two-Way, Mirror)

    • Feature: Synchronize content between two folders, allowing one-way, two-way, or mirror synchronization options (similar to FreeFileSync).

    • Approach: You can start with basic file copying using shutil.copy2() and later expand the feature to handle synchronization logic based on timestamps and file differences.

    • Complexity: High (handling synchronization logic and ensuring that changes are mirrored correctly can be complex).

  2. Duplicate File Detection and Removal

    • Feature: Search for duplicate files based on name, size, or hash, and provide the user with an option to remove them.

    • Approach: Use hashlib to generate file hashes (MD5 or SHA-256) and compare them to detect duplicates.

    • Complexity: High (efficiently finding duplicates in large directories requires careful handling).

Phase 4: Unified Folder Structure and Automation

  1. Unified Folder Structure (Moving/Copying Processed Files)

    • Feature: Create a standardized folder structure to move or copy processed files based on the user's preferences and renaming patterns.

    • Approach: Define a modular folder structure (e.g., by date, type, or tags) and provide options to copy or move files into the structure automatically.

    • Complexity: Medium (involves moving files and ensuring that no files are lost in the process).

Phase 5: UI and Modular App Development

  1. Modular UI Design and App Loader

    • Feature: Create a modular system where each feature is a separate module, and the app's main window loads these features as needed.

    • Approach: Use Python's import and tkinter to modularize the features. Each feature (e.g., renaming, synchronization) will be its own module, loaded into the main window dynamically.

    • Complexity: High (involves careful organization of the app's modules and a main menu that loads features as needed).

Modular Development Strategy

We can approach this project in phases so that each feature is independent and can be tested without needing to rebuild the entire app:

  1. Start with the core feature of scanning directories, which we've already implemented. Refine it by adding features like empty folder detection.

  2. Add modules one at a time: file renaming, metadata modification, file/folder synchronization, and finally the unified folder structure.

  3. Develop a plugin-based architecture: This will allow each feature to be loaded dynamically without modifying the core app. For example, the menu system can dynamically detect available features/modules and allow users to load them as needed.

  4. Testing and expanding: Each module can be individually tested, ensuring the app remains stable and functional as new features are added.

Implementation Outline

Phase 1: Basic Operations and UI Setup

  • Implement the UI layout and scanning features.

  • Add file tree visualization and report generation.

Phase 2: Renaming and Meta-Data Editing

  • Implement renaming options based on metadata.

  • Add the ability to modify file dates and times.

Phase 3: Synchronization and Duplicate Removal

  • Build file synchronization logic.

  • Implement duplicate detection and removal.

Phase 4: Unified Structure and Modular App Loader

  • Develop a unified folder structure for processed files.

  • Create a modular system to dynamically load and test new features.

By structuring the app in this way, we can ensure that each feature is independently developed and tested, and we can easily add new features over time without needing to refactor the entire app.

You said:

Could you start with the Main App that will direct the others and a very simple app module that finds and deletes empty folders. Lets see how it would work with one then we can add more

ChatGPT said:

Certainly! Let’s start by developing the Main App that will manage different modules, and then we'll create a simple Empty Folder Deletion module to demonstrate how modularity works.

Plan:

  1. Main App: This will serve as the launcher for the various feature modules.

  2. Empty Folder Deletion Module: A standalone module that can be loaded into the Main App to find and delete empty folders.

Step 1: Main App (Module Loader)

The Main App will load and run various modules. For now, it will have a menu to select the "Empty Folder Deletion" module. Later, we can add other modules (like renaming files, file synchronization, etc.).

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import tkinter as tk from tkinter import messagebox import importlib class ArkhiverDirectorApp: def __init__(self, root): self.root = root self.root.title("Arkhiver Director - Main App") self.root.geometry("400x200") # Welcome message self.label = tk.Label(root, text="Welcome to Arkhiver Director!", font=("Arial", 14)) self.label.pack(pady=20) # Button to load Empty Folder Deletion Module self.empty_folders_button = tk.Button(root, text="Find and Delete Empty Folders", command=self.load_empty_folder_module) self.empty_folders_button.pack(pady=10) # More buttons can be added here for other modules as they are developed def load_empty_folder_module(self): # Import the empty folder module dynamically try: empty_folder_module = importlib.import_module("empty_folder_deletion") empty_folder_module.run_empty_folder_deletion(self.root) # Call the function to run the module except ImportError: messagebox.showerror("Error", "Module not found or failed to load.") # Initialize the main app if __name__ == "__main__": root = tk.Tk() app = ArkhiverDirectorApp(root) root.mainloop()

Step 2: Empty Folder Deletion Module

This module will be separate and will be dynamically loaded by the main app. It will allow users to select a folder, scan it for empty folders, and delete them if confirmed.

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import os from tkinter import filedialog, messagebox def find_empty_folders(directory): empty_folders = [] for root, dirs, files in os.walk(directory, topdown=False): if not dirs and not files: empty_folders.append(root) return empty_folders def delete_empty_folders(empty_folders): for folder in empty_folders: os.rmdir(folder) return len(empty_folders) def run_empty_folder_deletion(root): # Ask the user to select a directory to scan for empty folders selected_folder = filedialog.askdirectory(title="Select Folder to Scan for Empty Folders") if selected_folder: empty_folders = find_empty_folders(selected_folder) if not empty_folders: messagebox.showinfo("No Empty Folders", "No empty folders found in the selected directory.") else: # Show confirmation message confirm = messagebox.askyesno("Confirm Deletion", f"Found {len(empty_folders)} empty folders. Do you want to delete them?") if confirm: deleted_count = delete_empty_folders(empty_folders) messagebox.showinfo("Folders Deleted", f"Deleted {deleted_count} empty folders successfully!") else: messagebox.showinfo("Cancelled", "No folders were deleted.")

How This Works:

  1. Main App (arkhiver_director.py):

    • This serves as the central hub.

    • It contains buttons for launching individual modules (starting with Empty Folder Deletion).

    • You can add more buttons for other features as they are developed.

  2. Empty Folder Deletion Module (empty_folder_deletion.py):

    • This module is responsible for finding and deleting empty folders.

    • It is completely independent and can be loaded by the Main App when needed.

    • The module uses os.walk() to find empty folders and os.rmdir() to delete them.

Running the Code:

  1. Main App (arkhiver_director.py) should be run as the main program.

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    python arkhiver_director.py

  2. When the app launches:

    • A button will appear to Find and Delete Empty Folders.

    • Clicking this button will launch the Empty Folder Deletion module.

  3. Empty Folder Deletion module allows users to:

    • Select a directory to scan.

    • Display a list of empty folders (if any).

    • Delete those folders with user confirmation.

Modular Expansion:

The main advantage of this approach is that each feature is modular. As we move forward, you can:

  • Create new modules (e.g., File Renaming, Synchronization).

  • Add them to the Main App as new buttons, allowing the user to launch each module separately.

  • The importlib approach allows for dynamic loading of modules, ensuring that each feature is independent.

Project Overview: Universal Folder Structure & File Management System

Your goal is to organize files from multiple sources (drives, cloud storage, personal server, etc.) into a universal folder and file naming structure. This structure will allow for easier access, uniform file naming, and seamless integration across devices. Additionally, you aim to develop a system that continuously processes and organizes files, tagging them and verifying their metadata to ensure consistency.

Key Objectives:

  1. Scan, Report, and Analyze: Create reports for each drive/folder to analyze their current structure and file naming.

  2. Design Universal Folder Structure: Develop a new folder structure that works for all your files.

  3. Migrate Files: Move and rename files into the universal structure, ensuring consistency with metadata (date, tags, etc.).

  4. File Tagging and Logging: Implement a tagging system to log files and verify their metadata.

  5. Automated Processing: Ensure any new files from multiple devices are automatically processed and organized into the new system.

  6. AI-Assisted Analysis: Use AI to analyze folder structures, suggest universal naming conventions, and manage the migration process.

Phased Development Plan:

  1. Phase 1: Drive/Folder Scanning & Report Generation

    • Objective: Use the folder scanner to generate a report of the current structure and file names on each drive.

    • Output: JSON reports for each drive/folder with details on file names, folder hierarchy, and metadata (e.g., created, modified dates).

    • Tool: Use the current Folder Structure Scanner we've already started developing.

    • Steps:

      • Scan each drive and generate reports.

      • Save JSON reports for AI analysis.

  2. Phase 2: Design the Universal Folder Structure

    • Objective: Develop a folder structure that accommodates all your files in an organized, searchable way.

    • Approach:

      • Analyze the reports from Phase 1.

      • Identify patterns in how files are currently organized (e.g., by date, by project, by type).

      • Use the AI to assist in proposing a universal structure. Example structures could include:

        • By Date: /Year/Month/Day/ProjectName/

        • By Type: /MediaType/Images/Year/

        • By Tags: /Tag1/Tag2/

    • AI Role:

      • Analyze the folder reports.

      • Suggest folder naming conventions.

      • Suggest file renaming schemes.

  3. Phase 3: File Renaming & Meta-Data Consistency

    • Objective: Develop the renaming system for your files.

    • Tasks:

      • Standardize the file naming scheme.

      • Modify file names based on metadata (e.g., EXIF data from photos).

      • Ensure that the file name contains crucial info: Date, Type, Tags (e.g., 2023-09-15_ProjectName_Tag.jpg).

    • Tools:

      • Use libraries like Pillow to extract metadata for images.

      • Implement a UI where you can define and test renaming rules.

    • Automation:

      • Once the rules are set, create an automation tool to process batches of files, renaming and tagging them.

    • Example Naming Scheme:

      • Files could be renamed as: YYYY-MM-DD_FileName_Tag1_Tag2.Extension

      • Folders could be structured like: /Year/Month/Tag/

  4. Phase 4: File Migration & Tagging

    • Objective: Move files from their original locations into the new unified structure, while keeping track of all files.

    • Tasks:

      • Automate the migration of files to your centralized server based on the universal structure.

      • Log each file into a database to ensure easy searchability and retrieval in the future.

      • Tagging: Introduce a tagging system, where tags can be extracted from metadata or assigned during migration.

      • Meta-Data Verification: Ensure that file metadata (e.g., creation date) is accurate and consistent with the file name.

    • Tools:

      • Implement a migration tool that uses the reports generated in Phase 1 to process files.

      • Store files based on metadata, rename them, and update tags.

  5. Phase 5: Duplicate Detection & Removal

    • Objective: Find and eliminate duplicate files across all drives.

    • Tasks:

      • Implement a system that compares file hashes to detect duplicates.

      • Provide an interface to review duplicates and decide which to keep or remove.

    • Tools:

      • Use hashlib to create file hashes for comparison.

      • Integrate this functionality into the migration tool to avoid moving duplicates.

  6. Phase 6: Continuous File Monitoring & Automation

    • Objective: Ensure that any new files added to your system (from any device or drive) are automatically processed and stored in the universal folder structure.

    • Tasks:

      • Implement a monitoring system that watches specific folders (e.g., cloud drives, portable drives) for new files.

      • Automatically scan new files, extract metadata, rename, and move them to the centralized storage.

    • Tools:

      • Use Python's watchdog to monitor file changes in real-time and trigger the necessary processes.

AI-Driven Assistance

Once the reports are generated, you can use AI to assist with analyzing the data and suggesting a consistent folder structure and naming scheme. Here’s how the AI can help:

  • Pattern Recognition: Identify patterns in your current file organization. For example, if most of your photos are organized by date, the AI can suggest keeping that as part of the new structure.

  • Metadata Extraction: The AI can help you analyze file metadata (e.g., EXIF data) and suggest how to incorporate it into your folder structure or naming convention.

  • Renaming Strategy: Based on your preferences, the AI can suggest file renaming patterns that will make future searches easier.

le Universal Folder Structure

Here’s an example structure that might work for your files. This can be adjusted based on your specific needs:

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/MainArchive /2024 /January /Personal_Photos 2024-01-12_Family_Trip_01.jpg 2024-01-12_Family_Trip_02.jpg /Work_Projects 2024-01-20_WorkPresentation.pptx /February /Work_Projects 2024-02-05_Project_Proposal.docx /Media /Music 2024-Album_01.mp3 /Videos 2024-02-Video_01.mp4

Technical Stack

  1. Python Libraries:

    • os, shutil, hashlib: For file operations and hashing.

    • Pillow, ExifRead: For metadata extraction from images.

    • Tkinter: For the graphical user interface.

    • Watchdog: For monitoring file changes.

  2. Database:

    • Use a simple SQLite database to log files, tags, and metadata for future search and retrieval.

  3. Modular Structure:

    • Each feature (scanning, renaming, synchronization) can be a separate module that the main app loads.

Next Steps:

  • Phase 1: Continue refining the folder scanning tool to make reports for each drive.

  • Phase 2: Begin analyzing the generated reports to plan the universal structure.

  • Phase 3: Develop and test the file renaming module with metadata integration.