Compare any two snapshots for changed/removed/added files between them

[mYnDstrEAm]

Is it possible to view which files have been changed, moved, removed or added between two selected backups? If so: how?

If it's not possible yet consider this is a feature request. It would be very useful to be able to compare changes between backups. Maybe git could be used for this. And maybe it could be combined with etckeeper. (There's also other related FOSS which could be used like diff viewers.) Detecting which files or folders have been moved would probably require keeping track of file hashes and so on.

This could also be combined with or be built into a form of IDS like tripwire. And it could be used to reduce the time needed for backups.

[emtiu]

I'm editing the title and adding this comment to make the feature request more clear. I still think it would be a nice feature.

OP wants to select any two snapshots and compare: What files are different between them? Currently, this is only possible manually if you diff the two snapshot folders in the filesystem.

The logfiles saved with the snapshots only document the difference from one snapshot to the one taken before (which may possibly be deleted).

It would be nice to have a way in the GUI to select two snapshots and ask: What files are different between them?

[buhtz]

It would be nice to have a way in the GUI to select two snapshots and ask: What files are different between them?

We have a compare snapshots dialog for this. It is kind of hidden but the feature exists.

https://backintime.readthedocs.io/en/latest/snapshotsdialog.html

[emtiu]

We have a compare snapshots dialog for this. It is kind of hidden but the feature exists.

https://backintime.readthedocs.io/en/latest/snapshotsdialog.html

Hmm. I thought this only applies to single files, not entire snapshots. I may have understood it wrong. It' well hidden, indeed ;)

[buhtz]

I thought this only applies to single files, not entire snapshots.

Here is an example using meld as differ:

It' well hidden, indeed ;)

Yes, it is. On a long run my idea is to remove that snapshot dialog and integrate all its features into the main window. As you described, select two snapshots in the timeline and push a compare button or something like this.

[emtiu]

On a long run my idea is to remove that snapshot dialog and integrate all its features into the main window. As you described, select two snapshots in the timeline and push a compare button or something like this.

Then let's keep this Issue open to reflect that feature idea ;)