How to use the command `reflac` (with examples)
Reflac is a command-line tool that allows you to recompress FLAC files in-place while preserving metadata. It is a handy tool for users who want to save storage space without compromising the quality of their FLAC audio files.
Use case 1: Recompress a directory of FLAC files
Code:
reflac path/to/directory
Motivation:
The reflac command can be used to recompress a whole directory of FLAC files. This is useful when you have a large collection of FLAC files and want to save storage space without having to recompress each file individually.
Explanation:
path/to/directory: Specify the path to the directory containing the FLAC files.
Example output:
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file1.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file2.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file3.flac
...
Use case 2: Enable maximum compression
Code:
reflac --best path/to/directory
Motivation:
The --best option enables maximum compression, which may result in smaller file sizes but can be quite slow. This option is suitable for users who prioritize file size reduction over execution time.
Explanation:
--best: Enable maximum compression. This option will use the highest compression level available, resulting in the smallest file sizes.
Example output:
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file1.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file2.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file3.flac
...
Use case 3: Display filenames as they are processed
Code:
reflac --verbose path/to/directory
Motivation:
The --verbose option can be used to display the filenames of the FLAC files as they are being processed. This is useful when you want to monitor the progress of the recompression process.
Explanation:
--verbose: Display filenames as they are processed.
Example output:
Processing: path/to/directory/file1.flac
Processing: path/to/directory/file2.flac
Processing: path/to/directory/file3.flac
...
Use case 4: Recurse into subdirectories
Code:
reflac --recursive path/to/directory
Motivation:
The --recursive option allows the reflac command to recurse into subdirectories and recompress all the FLAC files encountered. This is helpful when you have a directory structure with multiple nested subdirectories containing FLAC files.
Explanation:
--recursive: Recurse into subdirectories and recompress all the FLAC files encountered.
Example output:
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/subdirectory1/file1.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/subdirectory1/file2.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/subdirectory2/file3.flac
...
Use case 5: Preserve file modification times
Code:
reflac --preserve path/to/directory
Motivation:
The --preserve option allows the reflac command to preserve the original file modification times after recompression. This can be useful for users who rely on the file modification times for organizational or archival purposes.
Explanation:
--preserve: Preserve the original file modification times.
Example output:
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file1.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file2.flac
Recompressing FLAC file: path/to/directory/file3.flac
...
Conclusion:
The reflac command is a powerful tool for recompressing FLAC files in-place while preserving metadata. By utilizing the various options available, users can customize the recompression process according to their specific needs, whether it’s maximizing compression, monitoring the progress, handling subdirectories, or preserving file modification times. With reflac, users can efficiently manage and optimize their collection of FLAC audio files.
