practice task
Preview What rsync --delete Would Remove
You need to mirror a release directory to a backup target, but stale files on the target should be removed. Before running the real sync, you must preview deletions.
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Try first
rsync -ani --delete /srv/app/releases/current/ /backup/app/current/Goal
Run a dry run that itemizes changes and clearly shows delete candidates.
Expected output
An itemized dry-run list. Lines beginning with *deleting identify files that would be removed from the target during the real run.
Teaches
Dry runs make destructive sync behavior reviewable before it touches files.
Common mistake
Forgetting the trailing slash distinction on rsync paths or running --delete without reviewing a dry run.
check your answer
Answer key
What should your command prove?
An itemized dry-run list. Lines beginning with *deleting identify files that would be removed from the target during the real run.
How to explain it
Dry runs make destructive sync behavior reviewable before it touches files.
What to avoid
Forgetting the trailing slash distinction on rsync paths or running --delete without reviewing a dry run.
command set
Commands to know
rsync -av --dry-run --delete source/ target/rsync -ani --delete source/ target/grep '^*deleting'
answer check
Compare expected output
Open these command examples to compare your answer against realistic output.
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