How to exclude previously deleted files from a new rsync copy?

Question

Extending on this question:

Automatically sync a folder to a USB when USB is plugged in?

I do not want an automatic script but just a small bash script to do the following:

• Copy current ~/Documents/ to a backup folder
• Copy newer files from USB/Documents to ~/Documents/
• Copy and carry over deletions from ~/Documents/ to USB/Documents/

I now have:

# Backup local:
rsync -av ~/Documents/ ~/backup20112012/Documents/

# Synch new files from USB:
rsync -auv /media/20CC-A5E5/Documents/ ~/Documents/

# Sync and delete USB:
rsync -av --delete ~/Documents/ /media/20CC-A5E5/Documents/

which works with one exception. If I delete a file in ~/Documents, it is created again in step 2 (cause it is on USB). Is there a way to omit copying files that have been deleted in step two?

Answer 1

Your requirements are a little strange. It looks like you want to synchronize ~/Documents and USB/Documents so that they have the same content. If that's so, use unison , which is the tool of choice when you're looking for a bidirectional rsync.