Backup Script for Old Files | Dataford Interview Questions

Write a Python script to backup all files older than 30 days from a directory.

Asked in the Technical stage.

For deterministic grading, implement backup_old_files(directory, backup_directory, now). directory and backup_directory are dictionaries mapping names to metadata dictionaries with type, mtime, and optional content. Copy qualifying file metadata into backup_directory and return qualifying filenames in sorted order. A file is eligible only when mtime < now - 30 * 24 * 60 * 60; directories and files exactly at the cutoff are excluded.

Constraints

directory and backup_directory are dictionaries keyed by filename
Each metadata dictionary contains type and integer mtime fields
The type field is either file or directory
A file is eligible only when mtime < now - 30 * 24 * 60 * 60
Return filenames in lexicographic order

Function Signature

def backup_old_files(directory, backup_directory, now):

Your question is Backup Script for Old Files. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.

Problem

Write a Python script to backup all files older than 30 days from a directory.

Asked in the Technical stage.

Constraints

directory and backup_directory are dictionaries keyed by filename
Each metadata dictionary contains type and integer mtime fields
The type field is either file or directory
A file is eligible only when mtime < now - 30 * 24 * 60 * 60
Return filenames in lexicographic order

Function Signature

def backup_old_files(directory, backup_directory, now):

Your question is Backup Script for Old Files. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.