AzCopy Chronicles: The Simple Tool that Saved the Day!
Tags: dataengineering, azure, devops, bedtimestories
Published: 2023-09-16 23:33:45

_This post is a bit of an experiment, intertwining storytelling elements with the technical narrative. I'd love to hear your feedback on this approach - whether it resonated with you or not, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help in crafting future content. Thank you for reading!_


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/psfsju1uiqqzyg2r88rb.png)


Hey there, fellow data explorers!

Gather 'round, because today I've got a thrilling tale of data adventure to share - my epic journey to keep the elusive 'last modified time' intact while transferring files in Azure. Picture this: a journey peppered with trials, errors, and a glorious discovery that changed everything!

### **Why Keeping the 'Last Modified Time' is a Big Deal**

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why is this timestamp even important?” Let me tell you, in the grand saga of data management, it's practically the hero of the story. Picture it as the faithful squire in the land of data, ensuring everything runs smoothly in the kingdom:

1. **Tracking Your Data's Journey**: Imagine if our data were like breadcrumbs, leading us back to the moment of inception. The 'last modified time' helps us trace the steps of our data's journey, a trustworthy guide in a world of numbers and bytes.
   
2. **Keeping Your Data Safe and Sound**: This unassuming timestamp is like a guardian, ensuring our data remains pristine and unaltered, guarding it valiantly against the forces of change and time.

3. **Saving Time on Backups**: It's the knight in shining armor, coming to rescue us from the daunting dragon of data backups, helping us save the damsel of time and effort.

4. **Quick and Easy Updates**: Picture a wizard who can swiftly sift through piles of data, identifying only the freshest nuggets of information. That's the magic of 'last modified time'.

5. **Staying on the Right Side of the Rules**: Even in the wild west of data engineering, there are laws to uphold. This timestamp is like the sheriff in town, helping us toe the line and avoid the wrath of the regulatory gods.

### **What Happens If We Don't Keep It?**

Ah, but every tale has its dark side. What happens when we ignore this tiny but mighty timestamp, you ask? Here’s the potential horror movie that could unfold:

1. **Messy Data**: It's like unleashing a tornado in our neat data library. We lose the plot, the characters get jumbled, and we're left with a tragedy on our hands.
   
2. **Wasted Time and Effort**: Imagine being trapped in a never-ending loop of data chaos, constantly chasing our tails without this handy guide. A true data engineer's nightmare!

3. **Trouble Spotting Mistakes**: Without our trusty sidekick, identifying errors turns into a wild goose chase. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack... but the haystack is also made of needles.

4. **Breaking the Rules**: Neglecting the 'last modified time' is akin to flirting with the dark side, potentially invoking the wrath of the compliance overlords. A risky game to play, I must say!

5. **Tougher Decision Making**: Here we are, steering our ship in the murky waters of uncertainty. Without our data compass, making informed decisions becomes a treacherous journey.

### **The Bumpy Start**

Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant data land, I embarked on a mission to transfer files manually, with high hopes and dreams. But alas, this naive method betrayed me, resetting the precious 'last modified time' with every move, leaving me lost in the data wilderness.

Determined, I turned to scripting, hoping for a beacon of light. But yet again, my efforts were thwarted by the ever-changing, slippery 'last modified time', refusing to be tamed, laughing at my futile attempts.

### **The Light at the End of the Tunnel**

Just when all hope seemed lost, a hero emerged from the depths of the Azure suite: the mighty `azcopy`. This underappreciated warrior promised not just ease of transfer but vowed to protect the sacred 'last modified time'. 

With a hopeful heart and fingers crossed, I wielded this powerful command:

```sh
azcopy copy https://{accountname}.blob.core.windows.net/{container}/{folder}/* ./{targetFolder} --preserve-last-modified-time
```

Lo and behold, it worked like a charm! A seamless transfer, with the 'last modified time' standing strong, safeguarding the history of my files.

### **A Happy Ending**

So, here we are, at the end of this roller-coaster journey. From despair to triumph, all thanks to a simple yet powerful tool. Remember, fellow data wanderers, when in doubt, trust in the magic of `azcopy` to light your path.

Until our next adventure, happy data handling and may the 'last modified time' be with you!