Find and Print Duplicate Files Based on Timestamp in Python

Learn how to detect and print duplicated animal names in file names using Python by analyzing timestamps.
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Introduction

Managing files, especially in a large dataset, can become quite challenging, especially when they follow a specific naming convention. A common issue many face is finding duplicate files based on specific features in the filename—like an animal name in their case.

In this guide, we will delve into a Python solution to identify duplicate animal names in a list of files. These files are named according to a pattern that includes an epoch timestamp, and we will learn how to print the oldest file for each duplicate animal based on this timestamp.

The Problem

You may have a list of files in a folder structured as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

For example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The task is to identify duplicated animal names and print the file that represents the earliest creation time (the one with the smallest timestamp). In our example, the expected output for the duplicates would be:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Initial Approach

One initial strategy one might consider is using lists and the count method, but this may yield no result since the timestamps are different. Let's explore how to overcome this limitation.

The Solution

Step 1: Data Structure

We first need to set up a data structure. A dictionary is perfect for this task because it allows us to hold animal names as keys and their associated timestamps as values.

Step 2: Parsing the Filenames

Next, we loop through the list, parsing each filename to extract the animal name and its corresponding timestamp:

Identify the split points in the string (the underscore _ and the slashes /).

Convert the timestamp from a string to an integer for easy comparison.

Step 3: Populate the Dictionary

We will populate our dictionary by appending each timestamp to the corresponding animal name.

Step 4: Identify Duplicates

Finally, we will search through the dictionary for any animals that have multiple timestamps and print the file corresponding to the smallest timestamp.

The Code

Below is the complete code implementing the above logic:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

This method efficiently identifies and manages duplicate files based on timestamps embedded in their names. The use of dictionaries provides a robust approach to grouping timestamps and determining the oldest file for each duplicate animal. By breaking down the problem and utilizing Python’s string manipulation and data structures, we can effectively organize our file management tasks.

If you found this post helpful or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!