BashLogic wroteThe user case:
The user has copied a copy set of files from one host to numerous hosts. Hence the origi al files have been copied to numerous locations over time and in some cases even under different name.
The primary objective is to identify the duplicate files regardless of location.
secondary objective is to delete the duplicates
third is to centralize all files and put them in one location.
Well in this scenario, your method can surely help as a first step in a comparison procedure. If it matches then you need a full checksum check to make sure that it's the same file.
But that does not prevent the problem from repeating itself in the future. You need to organize storage and have a version control system.
PS: A filesize check might be faster as a first check. Your method can be the second check.
I use filesize comparison when uploading to FTP, if filesize differs then overwrite, otherwise skip. It's not perfect, in theory, but in practice it works.
