Specifying the data files to capture

Specifying the data files to capture

You specify the data files that you want to capture with a data template by setting up the template rules. A rule is a logical statement that identifies a particular group of data files.

The components of a rule are described in Table 6-3.

Table 6-3 Components of a rule


Component	Description
Directory path and file definition, and the corresponding Include or Exclude setting	The directory path and file definition specifies a folder, a group of files, or a particular file. You can include this in the collection, or exclude it from a folder or group of files that was included by an earlier rule. You can use variables as building blocks to specify part or all of the directory path. For example, to collect files from the C:\Documents and settings\<user name>\My documents folder for each user, you can set the path using the variable $MyDocuments$. You can use wildcard characters to specify the group of files. For example, you can use * to select all files and subfolders or .ext to select all files with the specified extension. Note: You cannot specify more than one file name or extension type in a rule. You need to create a new rule for each. If you are using relative paths, you may need to specify a partial directory path in each rule. The partial path is appended to the source path that you set up earlier to determine the complete directory path. Do not duplicate any part of the source path in the rule. You must specify a file definition in each rule. If you want to collect everything in the source path, you need to use the asterisk () wildcard character.
Criteria for file selection by date	This component is optional. By default all files specified in the directory path and file definition are selected. You can filter the selected files by creation date, modification date, or date last accessed. You can specify a particular date range to select all files in the range. You can select all files created, modified, or accessed during the previous days or months, by specifying the number of days or months. For example, you may want to select just the files that have been accessed by the user in the previous three months. Any other files are ignored.
File size restrictions	This component is optional. You can select just the files that are greater than or less than a specified size. For example, you may want to select all files smaller than 100 KB, and ignore any larger files. If you want to select files between a minimum and maximum size, you need to set up two rules: the first to include all files less than the maximum size, and the second to exclude all files less than the minimum size.

The rules in a data template are evaluated in the order in which they are listed. This determines which folders and files to collect. You should set up the rules to select files and folders starting from the top level and working downwards. For each level, you need to include the folders and file groups that you want, then exclude those that you don't want.

You can add new rules or modify existing rules at any time.

To specify the data files to capture

In the Properties for <Template name> window, in the Rules tab, do one of the following:

Click Add Rule to add a new rule.

Select the rule that you want to edit, then click Edit Rule.

In the Rule Definition window, select the action to apply to the files selected in this rule:

Include

Exclude

In the DirPath/RegPath box, specify the directory path and file definition for the group of files to select.

You can type the entire path or use variables as building blocks where appropriate.

To add a variable, click V, then select it from the list of available variables.

You can only use the variables that are contained in the list. If you type any other variables, even though they are valid in the operating system, the directory path will not be resolved.

For more information on the available variables, see Move the User variables.

If you want to select files by date, under Date, check Apply to files.

If you don't want to select files by date, ensure the Apply to files option is unchecked, then go to step 7.

In the drop-down list, select the file action to which the date criteria applies:

Modified

Created

Last Accessed

Under Date, set the date criteria by selecting the appropriate option and entering the relevant details:

Between	Set the start and end dates of the range by clicking each box and selecting the date from the calendar.
During the previous Months	Set the number of months by typing the appropriate number, or by clicking the arrow buttons to change the current value. Months are counted from the current day to the corresponding day of the appropriate month, not the complete calendar month.
During the previous Days	Set the number of days by typing the appropriate number, or by clicking the arrow buttons to change the current value. Days are counted from the current time to the same time on the appropriate day, not the complete day.

If you want to select files by size, under Size, check Apply to files.

If you don't want to select files by size, ensure the Apply to files option is unchecked, then go to step 10.

In the drop-down list, select the condition to which the file size criteria applies:

Greater than

Less than

In the KB box, specify the file size in kilobytes.

You can do this by typing the appropriate number, or by clicking the arrow buttons to change the current value.

10.

Click OK to save the rule.

Repeat this procedure for each rule that you need to set up, until you have specified all of the files that you want in this data template.

Note: The rules are added to the data template in the order that you create them. If necessary, click Move Up or Move Down to rearrange the list. The rules are evaluated in the order in which they are listed.