Android / Windows Sync Direction - ??

[Dierk]

Re: Android "Advanced Search" - ??
Post by admin » Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:27 am

We wouldn't recommend changing the sync direction as it may introduce duplicates. Clearing sync data clears up all the mapping and connections between data on different platforms, which can be considered equivalent to adding a new sync.

This is from the final exchange under the "Advanced Search" Topic, but my next question seems to warrant a new Topic heading....

Background: Wiped data on Android; Did a ONE-WAY Sync from Windows to Android to re-populate the Android database. Also cleared Sync Data to resolve a "Data is Not Syncing Error";
Status: The 2 EPim databases (presumably: did a Quick Survey) now contain the same information (formatting questions aside)
Goal: Re-instate 2-Way Sync so Changes made on the Android device are reflected back to the Windows database (and vice versa)

QUESTION: The bold statement in the above quoted admin reply implies that I should NOT return to a 2-Way Sync status - and having seen Duplicate & Triplicate (& MORE) entries in the past am wary of the precaution - but raises the Question of HOW CAN ONE GET BACK TO A 2-WAY SYNC STATUS? (Without introducing the probability of entry duplication.)

OBSERVATION: The rationale for Wiping the Android db in the first place was to clear out Multiple Duplicates (Triplicates & Higher!) which were painstakingly removed from the Windows db. Clearing the SYNC data was done - upon advice - in hopes of clearing up a Failure To Sync problem (for Notes). Following these steps, the new Notes DID sync - in both directions - AND there does not appear to by any unwarranted duplication (on either system). Does this TWO TIME success (for I made two passes) imply "all is well" or could there be some hidden Minefield that could pop up in future Sync sessions?

Thoughts?

[admin]

If you wish to change the sync direction, the best option would be to clear the sync data (in File -> Database Management) each time before doing so.

[Dierk]

May have a misunderstanding of what "clear sync data" actually does.
In the past - that is, when syncing across devices with Other Programs - the Sync Data Log was a way for those programs to keep track of which entries Had / Had Not been synced. Therefore Clearing the log would result in EVERYTHING being synced again - and thus causing Duplication on a mass scale.

IF we clear the Sync Data in EPim, how does EPim know WHICH entries to Sync?

[admin]

During the very first sync, EPIM compares the items with each other to avoid duplicates. This is also what happens if you clear the sync data.