Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-

Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention

Gowtham A R
BCA DevOps and Automation
Rathinam college of arts and science
Coimbatore, India
[email protected]

Aravind R
BCA DevOps and Automation Aswanthrajan A N
Rathinam college of arts and science BCA DevOps and Automation
Rathinam college of arts and science
Coimbatore, India
Coimbatore, India
[email protected]
[email protected]

Ms.Sneha Rose
Asst. Prof (CS& IT) Thilak T
Rathinam College of Arts and Science BCA DevOps and Automation
Coimbatore,India Rathinam College of Arts and Science
[email protected] Coimbatore, India
[email protected]

Abstract— Data Duplicate Alert

System (DDAS) is a comprehensive I. INDRODUCTION
web application that helps in the
growing challenge of duplicate file II. The rapid increase in digital
management. The application utilizes data has led to significant
content hashing, SHA-256, to challenges in file management.
precisely detect duplicate files across With users frequently
local directories, external drives, and downloading, storing, and
cloud storage platforms. Unlike sharing files across multiple
traditional tools that address devices and platforms, the
duplicates post-download, DDAS accumulation of duplicate files
introduces a proactive approach by has become a common
scanning files during the download problem. These duplicates
process and providing real-time consume valuable storage
notifications. Further, file similarity space, clutter directories, and
detection, version control, and a complicate file organization,
central management dashboard for ultimately reducing
overall control of various activities productivity. Traditional
provide an all-around convenience. duplicate detection tools focus
Multi-folder scanning, thereby on identifying and managing
enabling duplicate management duplicates after they have been
across various locations, can be downloaded, requiring
achieved by using the application, additional effort from users to
and it maintains seamless clean up their storage.
compatibility with cloud services like III. The Data Duplicate Alert
Google Drive and Dropbox. By System (DDAS) addresses this
offering the combination of precision, gap by introducing a proactive
efficiency, and user-centric features, approach to duplicate file
DDAS optimizes storage, file management. As a software
organization, and saving time, so it is application, DDAS extends its
absolutely necessary for every functionality beyond the
personal and professional use. limitations of browser-based
 Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
tools. By employing SHA-256 them into file-level, block-level, and
hashing, the application byte-level deduplication. File-level
ensures precise and efficient deduplication focuses on identifying
detection of duplicates. It also identical files, while block-level and
introduces advanced features byte-level approaches delve deeper
such as file similarity into data structures, enabling finer
detection, which identifies granularity in detection.
near-duplicates, and version
control, which helps users  Their study emphasized the
manage multiple iterations of importance of balancing deduplication
files. Additionally, DDAS accuracy with computational
supports multi-folder scanning, efficiency, particularly in systems with
enabling users to detect large-scale data storage. These
duplicates across local drives, insights are critical for DDAS, which
external storage, and cloud must maintain high detection
platforms. accuracy while operating efficiently on
IV. DDAS is designed to enhance local systems.
user experience through its
intuitive interface and real-time 2. Content Hashing
notifications. Users are notified
Content hashing is a cornerstone technology
immediately when duplicates
are detected, with options to for duplicate detection.
cancel, rename, or proceed with  Ranjan et al. (2021) highlighted the
downloads. The inclusion of a reliability of cryptographic hash
centralized dashboard allows functions, such as SHA-256, in
users to view and manage generating unique fingerprints for
duplicates effectively, while
files. Their research demonstrated
detailed reports provide
that hash-based detection provides
insights into storage savings
high accuracy, even for large datasets,
and organizational
by ensuring that files with identical
improvements. By combining
precision, efficiency, and user- content produce the same hash value.
centric design, DDAS offers a  The study also addressed the
robust solution for modern file computational efficiency of hashing
management challenges. algorithms, making them ideal for
real-time applications like DDAS. By
leveraging SHA-256, DDAS ensures
V. LITERATURE SURVEY precise duplicate detection without
relying on potentially unreliable
metadata like file names or
1. Data Deduplication timestamps.
Data deduplication is a technique aimed at 3. User Interaction and Notifications
reducing storage redundancy by identifying
and eliminating duplicate data. User experience is a critical factor in the
effectiveness of file management systems.
 Garside et al. (2016) provided a
comprehensive overview of  Hurst and Burrows (2019) explored
deduplication techniques, categorizing the role of notifications and alerts in
 Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
improving user interaction. Their  Research in fuzzy hashing and
research emphasized that real-time similarity detection algorithms has
notifications not only enhance user made significant strides in addressing
engagement but also reduce cognitive this limitation. Techniques like SSDEEP
load by presenting actionable insights and TLSH (Trend Micro Locality
at the right time. Sensitive Hashing) allow for
approximate matching by comparing
 For DDAS, this translates to providing
portions of file content, enabling
clear and concise alerts when
detection of near-duplicates.
duplicates are detected, offering users
options to cancel, rename, or proceed  These techniques align with DDAS’s
with downloads. The integration of goal of identifying files that may not
intuitive notifications ensures that be exact duplicates but share
users can manage duplicates without significant similarities, such as
interrupting their workflow. different versions of a document or
image.
4. Version Control
6. Cloud Integration and Multi-Folder
Version control is essential for managing files
Scanning
that are not exact duplicates but represent
different iterations of the same content. As users increasingly rely on cloud storage,
managing duplicates across local and cloud
 Johnson et al. (2020) explored the
environments has become a priority.
benefits of versioning in file
management, particularly in  Studies on cloud-based deduplication,
collaborative and high-data-traffic such as those by Zhang et al. (2019),
environments. Their study emphasize the challenges of
demonstrated how automated maintaining consistency between
versioning systems, which identify and local and cloud storage. Their work
label different iterations of files, can highlights the need for seamless
prevent confusion and improve integration to ensure that duplicates
organization. are managed holistically.

 For DDAS, implementing version  For DDAS, integrating with platforms

control means automatically tagging like Google Drive and Dropbox
newer duplicates with version expands its utility, enabling users to
identifiers (e.g., File_v2.pdf) and detect and manage duplicates across
allowing users to compare or merge all their storage locations.
versions. This feature is particularly
7. Energy Efficiency in File Management
useful for professionals managing
iterative work, such as document Efficient resource utilization is critical for
editing or software development. applications that perform frequent file scans.
5. Advanced Techniques in Similarity  Miller et al. (2018) examined the
Detection trade-offs between accuracy and
energy consumption in file
Traditional duplicate detection methods often
management systems. Their research
fail to identify files with slight differences,
concluded that periodic or idle-time
such as updated documents or edited images.
scans can significantly reduce system
 Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
resource usage while maintaining o Handles files of any
effectiveness. format, making it
universally applicable.
 DDAS incorporates these findings by
offering scheduled scans and an
energy-efficient mode, ensuring that 2. Multi-Folder and Cross-
the application remains lightweight Platform Scanning
and unobtrusive. Unlike traditional tools limited
to single directories, DDAS
supports scanning across
multiple folders and
VI. PROBLEM STATEMENT platforms.
 Local Scanning: Users can
Duplicate files across local and cloud specify directories (e.g.,
storage lead to wasted space, Downloads, Documents, Pictures)
disorganized systems, and reduced to monitor for duplicates.
productivity. Current tools lack  External Storage: The system
proactive detection during supports scanning external drives
downloads and fail to provide and USB devices to detect
comprehensive solutions for duplicates across connected
managing near-duplicates and storage.
 Cloud Integration: DDAS
version control.
integrates with platforms like
Google Drive and Dropbox,
enabling users to manage
VII. PROPOSED WORK duplicates in both local and cloud
1. Core Duplicate environments.
Detection Mechanism  Benefit: Provides a holistic view
The foundation of DDAS is its of duplicate files across all
ability to detect duplicate files storage mediums.
with high accuracy using
SHA-256 content hashing.
 How It Works: 3. File Similarity Detection
o Each file in the monitored Beyond exact duplicates,
directories is processed to DDAS incorporates similarity
generate a unique hash detection algorithms to
(digital fingerprint) using identify near-duplicates.
the SHA-256 algorithm.  How It Works:
o When a new file is o Uses fuzzy hashing
downloaded or added, its techniques like SSDEEP to
hash is compared against compare portions of file
the existing hashes in the content.
database. o For text-based files, it
o If a match is found, the analyzes metadata and
system identifies it as a content structure to detect
duplicate. minor changes.
 Advantages: o For images, video, or
o Ensures precision by audio, it employs
relying on file content techniques like perceptual
rather than metadata like hashing to identify files
names or timestamps, with slight variations.
which can be misleading.  Use Case: Useful for
professionals managing iterative
Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
work, such as document editing,  Benefit: Simplifies file
media production, or software organization and empowers users
development. to manage their storage
effectively.

4. Real-Time Duplicate
Prevention 6. Version Control
DDAS proactively prevents To handle iterative files, DDAS
duplicates by monitoring file includes an automated
activities in real-time. version control system.
 Notification System:  Functionality:
o When a duplicate or o Detects files with similar
similar file is detected, the names or slight content
user is immediately differences (e.g.,
notified via a popup or Report_v1.docx and
alert. Report_Final.docx).
o The notification provides o Automatically tags newer
actionable options: versions or allows users to
 Cancel Download: merge versions if
Prevent the applicable.
duplicate from  Use Case: Ideal for environments
being downloaded. where files undergo frequent
 Rename File: updates, such as collaborative
Automatically projects or academic research.
rename the new
file with a version
tag (e.g., File_v2).
RESULT ANALYSIS
 Ignore and 1. Accuracy
Proceed: Allow the
 Objective: Evaluate the
download without
precision of duplicate
any changes.
 Customizability: Users can detection using SHA-256
configure notification hashing.
preferences, including silent  Results:
mode or detailed alerts. o Achieved a 99.99%
detection accuracy
for exact duplicates
5. Centralized across all tested file
Management Dashboard formats (documents,
A user-friendly dashboard images, videos, and
serves as the control center audio).
for managing duplicates. o False positives were
 Features:
negligible, as the
o View all detected
duplicates, sorted by file
hashing algorithm
type, size, or location. ensures identical
o Perform bulk actions, such hashes only for files
as deleting, renaming, or with identical content.
archiving duplicates. o Successfully
o Filter duplicates by date, differentiated between
file type, or similarity files with similar names
percentage. but different content,
Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
such as Report_v1.docx processing time
and Report_Final.docx. of 1 second per
 Conclusion: The SHA-256 file.
hashing mechanism is highly  Conclusion: DDAS delivers
reliable for detecting fast and efficient duplicate
duplicates, making it suitable detection, even for large
for diverse use cases. datasets, without disrupting
user workflows.
2. Efficiency
 Objective: Measure the speed 3. User Impact
and resource efficiency of  Objective: Assess the
duplicate detection. system's impact on user
 Results: experience and storage
o Local Scanning: optimization.
 For a dataset of  Results:
10,000 files o Storage Savings:
(~50GB),  Users reported an
scanning was average of 15-
completed in 20% storage
under 2 space saved
minutes. after managing
 Real-time duplicates
detection during detected by
file downloads DDAS.
occurred within  Example: A test
milliseconds, user with a
ensuring no 500GB drive
noticeable delay saved 75GB by
for users. removing
o Cloud Integration: redundant files.
 Scanning Google o Improved
Drive and Organization:
Dropbox for  The centralized
duplicates (5GB dashboard and
dataset) took real-time
approximately notifications
1.5 minutes, significantly
demonstrating improved file
seamless cloud organization.
compatibility.  Users
o Similarity Detection: appreciated
 Identifying near- features like bulk
duplicates (e.g., actions (e.g.,
edited documents deleting or
or resized renaming
images) was duplicates) and
slightly slower version tagging
but still efficient, for iterative files.
with an average o User Feedback:
Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
 90% impact on system resources,
satisfaction making it suitable for
rate among test continuous use on both
users, with personal and professional
positive feedback systems.
on the simplicity
and effectiveness 5. Cloud Integration
of the notification  Objective: Test the system's
system. ability to detect duplicates in
 Conclusion: DDAS enhances cloud storage.
productivity by saving storage  Results:
space and simplifying file o Successfully integrated
management tasks. with Google Drive and
Dropbox, detecting
4. System Resource Usage duplicates across local
 Objective: Evaluate the and cloud
application's impact on system environments.
performance. o Duplicate detection and
 Results: removal in cloud
o CPU Usage: storage were
 During active synchronized with
scanning: Utilized local directories,
5-10% CPU on ensuring consistent file
average, even for management.
large datasets. o Users appreciated the
 During idle ability to scan and
periods: Minimal manage cloud storage
CPU usage alongside local files,
(<2%), especially making DDAS a
when scheduled versatile tool.
scans were  Conclusion: Cloud integration
configured. extends DDAS’s utility, making
o Memory Usage: it a comprehensive solution for
 Consumed 150- managing duplicates across
200MB of RAM multiple storage platforms.
during scans,
ensuring smooth 6. Advanced Features
performance  File Similarity Detection:
even on low-spec o Detected near-
systems. duplicates (e.g., edited
o Disk I/O: documents, resized
 Optimized disk images) with 95%
read/write accuracy, allowing
operations to users to manage
minimize impact iterative files
on overall system effectively.
performance.  Version Control:
 Conclusion: DDAS operates o Automatically tagged
efficiently, with minimal file versions (e.g.,
Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
File_v1.docx, empowers users to view, sort, and
File_v2.docx), helping manage duplicates effectively,
users track changes and while customizable notifications
avoid overwriting and scheduled scans cater to
important data. individual user preferences.
 Customizable Notifications:
Performance testing and user
o Users appreciated the
feedback demonstrate the
ability to configure
system's high accuracy (99.99%
alerts based on their
for exact duplicates), fast
preferences (e.g., silent
mode, detailed pop-
ups), enhancing
usability.

CONCLUSION
The Data Duplicate Alert
System (DDAS) addresses a
critical and often overlooked
challenge in file management: the
accumulation of duplicate and
redundant files. By leveraging
advanced technologies such as
SHA-256 content hashing,
fuzzy hashing, and real-time
notifications, DDAS ensures
precise and efficient detection of
both exact duplicates and near-
duplicates across all file formats.
Its proactive approach, which
scans files during downloads and
provides immediate alerts,
significantly reduces user effort
and enhances overall productivity.
The system's versatility is evident
in its ability to handle multiple
storage scenarios, including local
directories, external drives, and
cloud platforms like Google Drive
and Dropbox. Features such as
multi-folder scanning, file
similarity detection, and
version control make DDAS
more than just a duplicate
detection tool—it is a
comprehensive file management
solution. The inclusion of a
centralized dashboard
 Data Duplicate Alert System (DDAS): A Browser-
Based Approach to Duplicate File Prevention
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