# duplicatefile.cmd

A Windows batch script for efficiently duplicating a source file to multiple destination files with various operational modes.

## Overview

`duplicatefile.cmd` is a command-line utility that allows you to copy a single source file to multiple destination files in one operation. It supports both direct file specification and list-based operations, with an optional dry-run mode for testing.

## Syntax

```cmd
duplicatefile <source_file> [-dry] [-list] <out_file1> .. <out_filen>
```

### Parameters

- `<source_file>` - The file to be duplicated (required)
- `[-dry]` - Optional flag for dry-run mode (shows operations without executing)
- `[-list]` - Optional flag to use list file mode
- `<out_file1>` .. `<out_filen>` - Target destination files

## Usage Modes

### 1. Direct File Mode

Copy source file to multiple specified destinations:

```cmd
duplicatefile source.txt file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
```

This will copy `source.txt` to `file1.txt`, `file2.txt`, and `file3.txt`.

### 2. List File Mode

Use a text file containing the list of target destinations:

```cmd
duplicatefile source.txt -list targets.txt
```

The `targets.txt` file should contain one destination file per line:
```
backup1.txt
subfolder/backup2.txt
../backup3.txt
logs/archive.txt
```

### 3. Dry Run Mode

Preview operations without actually copying files:

```cmd
duplicatefile source.txt -dry file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
```

```cmd
duplicatefile source.txt -dry -list targets.txt
```

## Features

### Automatic Directory Creation
The script automatically creates target directories if they don't exist:
```cmd
duplicatefile config.ini backup/2025/config.ini logs/config.ini
```

### Error Handling
- Validates source file existence
- Checks for list file availability when using `-list` mode
- Reports copy operation success/failure for each file
- Provides clear error messages

### Flexible Path Support
Supports various path formats:
- Relative paths: `backup/file.txt`
- Parent directories: `../archive/file.txt`
- Absolute paths: `C:\backups\file.txt`

## Examples

### Database Backup Scenario
```cmd
duplicatefile database.db -list backup_locations.txt
```

With `backup_locations.txt`:
```
daily/database_2025-06-12.db
weekly/database_week24.db
monthly/database_june.db
archive/database_backup.db
```

### Configuration File Distribution
```cmd
duplicatefile app.config -dry ^
  server1/app.config ^
  server2/app.config ^
  test/app.config
```

### Log File Archiving
```cmd
duplicatefile current.log ^
  archive/2025-06-12.log ^
  backup/current_backup.log ^
  ../shared/current.log
```

## Output Format

### Normal Mode
```
Source file: source.txt

Target files:  file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

Copying: "source.txt" -> "file1.txt"
  Success
Copying: "source.txt" -> "file2.txt"
  Success
Copying: "source.txt" -> "file3.txt"
  Success

Operation completed.
```

### Dry Run Mode
```
[DRY RUN MODE] - No files will be copied

Source file: source.txt

Target files:  file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

[DRY RUN] Would copy: "source.txt" -> "file1.txt"
[DRY RUN] Would copy: "source.txt" -> "file2.txt"
[DRY RUN] Would copy: "source.txt" -> "file3.txt"

Operation completed.
```

## Error Handling

The script handles various error conditions:

- **Missing source file**: `Error: Source file "missing.txt" does not exist`
- **No arguments**: Displays usage help
- **Missing list file**: `Error: List file "targets.txt" does not exist`
- **Copy failures**: Reports individual file copy errors

## Tips and Best Practices

### For Database Backups
Use list files to maintain consistent backup locations:
```cmd
duplicatefile production.db -list db_backup_targets.txt
```

### For Development Workflows
Use dry-run mode to verify operations before execution:
```cmd
duplicatefile config.ini -dry -list deployment_targets.txt
```

### Path Considerations
- Use quotes around file paths containing spaces
- Forward slashes (/) and backslashes (\) both work on Windows
- Relative paths are resolved from the current working directory

## Requirements

- Windows operating system
- Command Prompt or PowerShell
- Appropriate file system permissions for source and target locations

## Installation

1. Save the script as `duplicatefile.cmd`
2. Place it in a directory included in your system PATH, or
3. Run it from its directory using the full path

The script is self-contained and requires no additional dependencies.