Rule editor
Options
In short, a rule is a directory. It also contains information on what things in that directory should be included or excluded from the backup. A single backup item can have virtually any number of rules (limited by memory and processing power). DataArmour uses the rules to decide which files should be included in a backup.
Before learning about the rule editor in detail, some information about the options:
Include subdirectories | Indicates that the sub-folders and their files (and their sub-folders ... etc) are to be included in the backup. |
On file change | Specifies that this directory should be monitored for changes. Change include: Renaming, editing, deleting or adding a file. Renaming, adding or removing a directory. |
Source folder | The directory that this rule applies to. Naming this directory includes it in the backup. |
The part of the path listed below the browse button is the common prefix for the selected rule.
Adding rules
To add a rule, click on the 'Add rule' button in the toolbar. Each rule must specify a valid location. You can either type the name of the directory or click the browse button to bring up a directory browser.
Adding constraints
This window appears below the rule options when you click on any of the constraints of a rule.
A constraint includes or excludes files from the rule. New rules include a Include if file matches wildcard '*' constraint by default.
Operation | Specifies the constraint type. Either inclusion or exclusion |
If | Specifies what part of the path/filename the constrait applies to. File and path: The entire pathname, includng the name of the file and its extension. Filename: The file name and its extension only (does not include the path). Path: The pathname only (does not include filename or its extension). Extension: The filename extension only. Note: Extensions begin with a period (.) If you are going to specify an extension, it should be of the form .txt, .bat, etc. (simply remember to put period at the beginning of the extension) |
Operator | The operator applies to the part of the filename specified in the if selection. Equals: The if selection must be equal to this for the constraint to be applied. Contains: The if selection must contain this for the constaint to be applied. Wildcard: The if selection must match the wilcard specified in this for the rule to be applied. |
This | The text part of the constraint. |
If you read the constraints in an english like manner, their purpose should be come clearer. The text representation of the constraint changes as you work with the constraint editor.
Rules are applies in order of depth. Those rules higher in the structure are applied first. The net effect of this is that with a set of rules like:
Two other options, that cannot be seen in the above picture:
This should be intepreted as: Only *.BAT, *.SYS and *.TXT files are included from C:\. No files are included from C:\WINDOWS or any of its subdirectories. One exception is the directory C:\Windows\Recent, where all files are included.
Any set of rules can be intepreted by simply reading them in order as they appear. Rules that appear after other rules always override those preceeding rules.