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Post by Chuck Elliot on Jan 26, 2016 19:23:28 GMT -5
One of my pet peeves with iTunes is that it has no function to test the integrity of its database. I finally decided to write something that would at least test for the existence of the files contained within the database. In the process, I’ve learned more about UTF-8 and Unicode then I ever wanted to know.  I’ve a bit more to do, but I’d really like to find a few forum members that would be willing to beta test my application. It would be good to have some users with large databases. Anyone interested? Chuck |
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Post by JKCashin on Jan 26, 2016 19:32:34 GMT -5
Yes yes yes!!!! One of the issues I recently noticed is that I have a few "albums" that when I click on them, well, they don't show any content. If I hit splat-i (to edit info), iTunes crashes! I was thinking it was likely a database issue and was going to research to see if there was any db integrity checked for iTunes.
What language are you using to do this?
Jamie
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Post by boomzilla on Jan 26, 2016 19:46:27 GMT -5
Hi Chuck -
I'm willing to set up a test Mac with a spare USB HDD with my files. I'll run iTunes on it, and use your integrity checker. I'll keep thorough notes & give you all the feedback I can. Thanks for the opportunity!
Boomzilla
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Post by Loop 7 on Jan 26, 2016 19:54:46 GMT -5
I'm willing to test.
I have a sterile Mac Mini server (headless) for listening but I have an old iMac I use for ripping and library management. If something goes haywire with the iMac's iTunes DB/catalog, there's no harm.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Jan 26, 2016 20:07:39 GMT -5
Sorry guys, it's a PC app written in VB.NET. Windows only!
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Post by boomzilla on Jan 26, 2016 21:03:27 GMT -5
Bah humbug!
iTunes without a Mac is like pasties without mammaries!
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Post by drtrey3 on Jan 26, 2016 21:43:29 GMT -5
Chuck, my library is large and fairly corrupt. The file directory, not the music. And I run a PC. Love to run it and see what happens, and I won't even be upset if it crashes the problematic library!
Trey
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Post by JKCashin on Jan 26, 2016 22:28:38 GMT -5
Aaaargh!! NOOOOOOO. VB.NET.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo........
sad face
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Jan 27, 2016 9:44:01 GMT -5
Bah humbug! iTunes without a Mac is like pasties without mammaries! I bet there are more PC iTunes users than Mac! Chuck, my library is large and fairly corrupt. The file directory, not the music. And I run a PC. Love to run it and see what happens, and I won't even be upset if it crashes the problematic library! Trey Send me a PM and I'll send you a copy when ready! Aaaargh!! NOOOOOOO. VB.NET.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo........ sad face And exactly what's wrong with VB.NET?  |
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Post by boomzilla on Jan 27, 2016 9:53:05 GMT -5
Bah humbug! iTunes without a Mac is like pasties without mammaries! I bet there are more PC iTunes users than Mac! You're right, Chuck, but it doesn't invalidate my comment! LOL |
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Post by JKCashin on Jan 27, 2016 17:17:55 GMT -5
Aaaargh!! NOOOOOOO. VB.NET.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo........ sad face And exactly what's wrong with VB.NET? For you? Nothing. For me... it means I don't get to be a beta tester  |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Feb 3, 2016 23:15:44 GMT -5
iTunesMediaTest is ready for Alpha Test (WINDOWS ONLY). iTunes creates a file “iTunes Music Library.xml” that other programs can use to scan information within the library. In the latest version of iTunes, the creation of this file is controlled in Edit -> Preferences under the advanced tab as checkbox - “Share iTunes Library XML with other applications”. Normally this files will be saved in the users Music folder in the folder iTunes. VB.Net programs requires the Net Framework to run. If Net Framework 4.5 is not installed on your system, here is a link to install it from Microsoft: Microsoft Net Framework 4.5 LinkThis is a link to the program. iTunesMediaTest.exe
in my dropbox. The link to my program is just an EXE file and not an installer package. So just save it to the desktop. I will make an installer version once I get by alpha. The button on the top right will allow you to select your "iTunes Music Library.xml" file from your iTunes folder. Total Good and Bad files are listed while running. Each bad file will display the name that failed to open.  |
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Feb 3, 2016 23:32:53 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck for this very useful tool. I just ran it on my daughter's iTunes database. Two thoughts:
1. It would be great if the program prompted for the iTunes database name. (e.g. "iTunes Music Library.xml"). Maybe even pre-fill that default name?
2. For Bad fie count, it would be great if it reported "0" (i.e. zero) if none are found. Currently it is just leaves that field blank.
These aren't earth-shattering issues but would make the tool even more user-friendly IMHO.
Luckily I found no bad files (i.e. Bad files = blank).
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Feb 4, 2016 17:49:32 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck for this very useful tool. I just ran it on my daughter's iTunes database. Two thoughts: 1. It would be great if the program prompted for the iTunes database name. (e.g. "iTunes Music Library.xml"). Maybe even pre-fill that default name? 2. For Bad fie count, it would be great if it reported "0" (i.e. zero) if none are found. Currently it is just leaves that field blank. These aren't earth-shattering issues but would make the tool even more user-friendly IMHO. Luckily I found no bad files (i.e. Bad files = blank). Easy fixes! They will come with next version. This tool allowed me to do a lot of clean-up to my database. Not to music, but to movies, podcasts and books. I am left with 1 podcast that the database says is there, but iTunes doesn't show! I can live with it! I don't understand why Apple doesn't provide a database integrity tool in iTunes to start with. I am surprised there isn't more interest here in what I've written?? You appear to be the only download! |
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Feb 5, 2016 2:50:47 GMT -5
I would've loved to have this tool back when I still had an iTunes database. After getting burned several times with data/files going missing or the database becoming corrupt, I gave up on it.
Yes, surprised others aren't interested in this tool. Very valuable IMHO.
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,929
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Post by KeithL on Feb 5, 2016 11:32:22 GMT -5
If Apple provided a way to check the integrity of the database, then that would be admitting that it could break.... Thanks Chuck for this very useful tool. I just ran it on my daughter's iTunes database. Two thoughts: 1. It would be great if the program prompted for the iTunes database name. (e.g. "iTunes Music Library.xml"). Maybe even pre-fill that default name? 2. For Bad fie count, it would be great if it reported "0" (i.e. zero) if none are found. Currently it is just leaves that field blank. These aren't earth-shattering issues but would make the tool even more user-friendly IMHO. Luckily I found no bad files (i.e. Bad files = blank). Easy fixes! They will come with next version. This tool allowed me to do a lot of clean-up to my database. Not to music, but to movies, podcasts and books. I am left with 1 podcast that the database says is there, but iTunes doesn't show! I can live with it! I don't understand why Apple doesn't provide a database integrity tool in iTunes to start with. I am surprised there isn't more interest here in what I've written?? You appear to be the only download! |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Feb 5, 2016 15:05:20 GMT -5
If Apple provided a way to check the integrity of the database, then that would be admitting that it could break.... All databases can break - power failure, system crash, etc. When you don't know it's broke is when errors propagate and real problems occur. |
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Post by JKCashin on Feb 6, 2016 11:41:18 GMT -5
I am surprised there isn't more interest here in what I've written?? You appear to be the only download! I wonder how many people *are* interested, but are running OS X, and can't use your tool... such as myself. Tempted to do the same thing for OS X myself... but I don't know anything about the DB structure, and don't have the time to reverse engineer it right now. |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Feb 6, 2016 13:53:04 GMT -5
I am surprised there isn't more interest here in what I've written?? You appear to be the only download! I wonder how many people *are* interested, but are running OS X, and can't use your tool... such as myself. Tempted to do the same thing for OS X myself... but I don't know anything about the DB structure, and don't have the time to reverse engineer it right now. If I give you my source code, could you port it? |
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Post by JKCashin on Feb 6, 2016 22:21:35 GMT -5
Hmm.... quite possibly, yes!
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