Access to file meta data on drop box

[sjyuenger]

I have an application that needs to be able to walk through all the files on dropbox to gather the file meta data  related to the files.

I currently accomplish this in Python by walking down the drive/path and reading the file labels for the meta data. the code I use is:

• target = input("Enter the Directory you want, d://dir:=")
  af.write('Scanning Directory:=' + str(target) + '\n')
  while len(target) > 0:
• for r, d, f in os.walk(target):
  for fi in f:
  qfname = os.path.join(r, fi)
  fil = len(fi)
  fn = fi.rfind('.')
  fidl = fil - fn

I have no need to read the actual file data.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Stephen Yuenger

Independent Consultant

772-418-0150

[Здравко · Accepted solution]

Hi @sjyuenger,

This forum targets Dropbox specific things (in this forums part - things related to Dropbox API/SDK). You rather need a Python tutorial and suitable Python package like 'file-metadata' for instance. 😉

Good luck.

[sjyuenger]

I currently am able to capture the meta data from any file system I can mount as a drive, this includes my backup system from Macrium Reflect and other systems.  

Does Drop Box data file structure conform with the Windows definitions?  The reason for doing this within my application is speed.  Right now when I sample > 2,000,000 files I obtain the meta data I need in ~ 150 seconds and subsequently a query for a file from my virtual tables is < 4ms.

I don't expect the same timing from a remote site like Drop Box but my look up speed will not be affected.

I am not asking for language support just file access.

I do thank you for your response but, because I am going to apply for a patent on my application, I wish it to be all self-contained with no responsibility to other developers.

[Здравко]

---

@sjyuenger wrote:

I currently am able to capture the meta data from any file system I can mount as a drive, this includes my backup system from Macrium Reflect and other systems.  

Does Drop Box data file structure conform with the Windows definitions? ...

---

The Dropbox folder is a folder like any other folder! This folder is not a mount point as seems you are thinking! Does the drive/partition filesystem where you place your Dropbox folder (your user folder by default) "confirm with the Windows definitions"?! 🧐😁

If you want to access data directly online then following guides may be helpful:

• https://www.dropbox.com/developers/reference/getting-started
• https://developers.dropbox.com/dbx-file-access-guide

[Greg-DB]

@sjyuenger Здравко is correct, you can interact with the Dropbox folder on the local filesystem normally. And this section of the forum is for use of the Dropbox API though, not local filesystems, so I'm afraid I can't offer help with that.

[sjyuenger]

Guess I jumped to the wrong interpretation.  An API interface is certainly acceptable thank you