Overview
Filter expressions govern the inclusion and exclusion of files under the Watch Set. Included files are subject to scan and event detection, while excluded files are not. Initially, all files are included and no files are excluded, except for the internal expression listed below.
Filtration can be configured with wildcard expressions to more easily cover well-known file extensions or names that follow established patterns. When a single expression is insufficient for configuring filtration, multiple expressions may be supplied.
Usage Notes
Since inclusions and exclusions are expressed separately, it is possible to submit conflicting expressions. The expression evaluator addresses this by exiting when a file is determined to be excluded. Therefore, exclusions expressions override inclusion expressions.
Rename operations may subject files to an inclusion status change. Renaming a file out of the Watch Set will trigger a target deletion, while renaming into the Watch Set triggers a target addition.
Folder deletions only affect included files, possibly leading to folder structure inconsistencies. When a session participant deletes a folder, the target outcome will vary depending on whether excluded files are present. Folder deletions are propagated in detail to the targets as to the exact files that have been affected.
Auto Excluded Filter
The following wild card expressions are automatically applied as exclusion expressions and cannot be changed:
Temporary files generated by common applications
~$*.*
*.tmp
*.$$$
Any file without a file extension, e.g. abcdefg
Explorer System Files
desktop.ini, thumbs.db, and Windows shortcut file e.g. *.lnk
Configuration
The excluded and included file name filters take one or more standard wildcard expressions that are combined by performing a logical OR of each wildcard expression.
* |
Matches zero or more characters of any value |
? |
Matches one character of any value |
In general, you will want to exclude all temporary files created by the applications you use so they are not propagated to the targets hosts. For example, AutoCAD applications should add the following expressions to the Excluded File Name filter table:
*.AC$
*.SV$
*.DWL*
*.BAK
| 1. | Click the Add button under the Excluded File Name Wildcard Pattern table and enter *.AC$ and then click OK. |
| 2. | Do the same thing and add *.SV$, *.DWL* and *.BAK |
Your AutoCAD temporary file exclusion filter is now created and all files ending in *.SV$ or *.AC$ or *.DWL or *.BAK will be excluded from collaboration.
Filtering on Folders
You can also filter on a folder and all sub folders and files by specifying the path to the folder followed by the "*" wildcard character. For example specifying "\TestFolder*" as the filter expression will exclude the \TestFolder directory and all sub-folders and files.