File Deletion

[Aubrey]

I am having difficulty deleting an image fro my database that has been manually deleted in the folder.
The image shows a triangle with exclamation mark, meaning it cannot be found.
When I use CTRL-DEL the file will not delete.
The only way to delete the file is to copy another file and then rename the file to the existing one in the database. After this file has been added then it can be deleted.
Should it be possible to delete an image from the database that has been manually deleted.


Thanks,
Aubrey.

[Mario]

IMatch does not automatically remove files from the database if they no longer exist on disk. It may be just a temporary problem because you or another application has moved or renamed the file.

Files no longer on disk will be removed from the database automatically when you rescan the folder: <Shift>+<F5>

[Aubrey]

Hi Mario,
I'm trying to remove a file from the database that no longer exists in the folder. (See attached screen)
To do so I click CRTL-DEL. I get a message to confirm file deletion, I say yes, but nothing happens the image remains in the database.
I have done a SHIFT-CRTL-F5 rescan of this file nothing happens, if I use this command on a nearby file then an options window opens. The former(no window) does not surprise me as the file no longer exists in the folder.

I would have thought that CRTL-DEL should remove a file "shadow" from the database even if the original no longer exists in the folder.

Thanks,
Aubrey.



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[cytochrome]

In such a case I right click on the thumb, navigate to Additional functions and click on Romove file(s) from database.

Works for me...

Francis

[Mario]

Please re-read my reply from this morning I told you that you only need to rescan the folder to remove files no longer on your disk from the database. I even gave you the keyboard shortcut. Just rescan the folder and your good. Did you follow my advice?

[Mario]

I have now added an extra message for a case where a user tries to delete non-existing (off-line) files. This message tells him to rescan the folder to remove the non-existing files from the database.

[Aubrey]

Mario,

I later re-scanned the folder using SHIFT-CRTL-F5 the non-existent files still remained! I then created psuedo files (from another image with the same names) and then successfully deleted these files.  I did not think to enter the additional functions option suggested by Francis - I suspect this would have done the trick as it does in IM3.6!

Thanks
aubrey.

[picolo]

Mario,

To me - I would never want IM to remove non existing files automatically...
I would really like to see a more "direct" way to delete obsolete entries from the database...

How can I remove a file when in the preferences / Indexing / Remove non-existing files from database is deselected?

Regards,
Michael

[Mario]

I later re-scanned the folder using SHIFT-CRTL-F5 the non-existent files still remained!

This would be a bug, unless you have explicitly disabled the option "Remove non-existing files from database" under Edit > Preferences > Indexing.
This is by default off and has been added for a special user group.

How can I remove a file when in the preferences / Indexing / Remove non-existing files from database is deselected?

This option is by default on and it is assumed when you turn it off, you don't want IMatch to remove files from the database. Right?

You can still use the Remove file from database command available in the context menu in the File Window. See help for details.

[Aubrey]

Michael,
The current setup is fine. One has to consciously remove the "shadow/non-existent file" using right click "Additional functions". Then select "remove file from database". If the file is in the folder it will remain there. The file will only be deleted from the database.

Aubrey.

[Aubrey]

Mario,
Perhaps there is a bug. As my "Remove existing files from database is set to "on" (see screendump).
I'll test tomorrow and confirm if there might well be a bug.

Thanks,
Aubrey.

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[Mario]

I just did that today (deleting files indexed in one of my databases in an external application). A rescan of the folder removed the files immediately.

[picolo]

Thanks Aubrey...
I have overseen this!

[ubacher]

Sure would be a nice touch if one could remove a non-existing file with the DEL key - since this is a logical
key for a user to try.

Feature request:
If file does not exist and delete is pressed (or ctrl-del) perform a Remove from Database.

[picolo]

I think ubacher's FR makes totally sense...

[Mario]

The <Del> key toggles the reject rating, which is possible for off-line files to. An off-line must not be permanently off-line, mind that!
I have added a message so a user which tries to "delete" a non-existing file is informed that he can remove the files simply by rescanning the folder.
I don't think that more is needed.

"Feature requests" added to regular posts will be forgotten. That's why we have a dedicated feature request board.

[picolo]

Mario,

I do understand why the "del" key cannot perform the task... But I don't understand why the Ctrl-Del could not perform the task to remove a obsolete file from the DB?

"The file is not available or offline - Do you want to remove the file from the database anyway"
Something like that after Ctrl/Del. Wouldn't  that be more straight forward and make things easier?

Though, that is not high on my wish-list

Regards,
Michael

[Mario]

not perform the task to remove a obsolete file from the DB?

a) Mixing different operations under one keyboard shortcut...potentially problematic
b) I want to make it a bit harder to accidentally remove off-line files unless the user really understands what he is doing
c) The new solution should work well anyway.

If you have a feature or change request, please use the appropriate board. I don't revisit this thread until a user posts a new message, and I don't search old posts in the General board for potential feature requests.