backup_home.py

#! /usr/bin/env python

#----------------------------------------------------------
#   Create backups using snapshops
#----------------------------------------------------------

from datetime import datetime
import os

# Directory for backups
HOME_DIR = '/Users/arturo/Desktop/'

# Dest directory on external HD
DEST_BACKUP_DIR = '/Volumes/Backup/backups/'
DEST_BACKUP_CURRENT = DEST_BACKUP_DIR + 'current'
DEST_BACKUP_BACKUP = DEST_BACKUP_DIR + 'backup-'
# Directories that will be excluded for backup
EXCLUDE_DIRS = ['Pictures', 'Music']

now = datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%M-%dT%H:%M:%S')

exclude_dirs_cmd = ''
for exclude_dir in EXCLUDE_DIRS:
    exclude_dirs_cmd += '--exclude {0} '.format(exclude_dir)

if not os.path.exists(DEST_BACKUP_DIR):
    print('Error! {} directory is not valid'.format(DEST_BACKUP_DIR))
    exit

print("Syncing directories and files...")
cmd = 'rsync -aP --link-dest={0} {1} {2} {3}'.format(DEST_BACKUP_DIR + 'current',
                                                     exclude_dirs_cmd,
                                                     HOME_DIR,
                                                     DEST_BACKUP_DIR + 'backup-' + now)
os.system(cmd)

# Deleting old current directory
cmd = 'rm -rf {0}'.format(DEST_BACKUP_CURRENT)
os.system(cmd)

# Creating symlink for current directory
cmd = 'ln -s {0}{1} {2}'.format(DEST_BACKUP_BACKUP, now, DEST_BACKUP_CURRENT)
os.system(cmd)

print('Done!')