Main changes

After 2 years of development, 48 fixed issues, 17 new features, we're releasing our next major version of rdiff-backup. At time of writing only one known (and obscure) bug is left to be fixed. Most of the time has been spent on modernizing the code with a clearer plug-in based structure, but we've also found the time to implement a few cool features:

• there is at last a --help parameter
• the CLI (Command Line Interface) has been refurbished and modernized (the old one is still present but deprecated)
• you can store your parameters in a file, one per line, and call rdiff-backup @myfile to use them
• verbosity levels and error codes have been standardized for clearer interaction with the tool
• Window wheels are now working, and rdiff-backup is available in 32 and 64 bits for Windows

And despite all these changes, rdiff-backup 2.2 remains compatible with rdiff-backup 2.0, but you can, and are encouraged to, use the new API using --api-version 201, enabling two additional features:

• the last backup can be regressed even if it isn't failed (I think, our oldest enhancement request)
• locking of repositories has been greatly improved (there wasn't much of a locking before)

Detailed release notes are at the top of the changelog. As always, consider especially the changes marked with CHG as they might impact your workflow.

And, last but not least, our website rdiff-backup.net has been revamped and merged with the docs folder, allowing for easier maintenance and up-to-date documentation, in alignment with the code evolution.

Install

The installation, described in details in the read me, has the quick version:

• Linux, trust on your distro to provide the latest version of rdiff-backup "soon-ish" (or copr/PPA)
• Windows, download the asset rdiff-backup-2.2.0.win32/64exe.zip from the tagged release and unpack it somewhere in your PATH.
• Any supported Platform, and a few unsupported like BSD and MacOSX, use pip install rdiff-backup (or download and install the proper asset from the tagged release).
• in all cases, you might want to have a look at the migration guide, especially if you want to use the new version side-by-side with the old one.

Help!

If you encounter issues, contact us on the rdiff-backup-users mailing list and/or report an issue.

We could also use some help, so don't hesitate to raise your hand on the mailing list if you'd like to help your favorite backup tool!