I managed to clobber my mysql database today by hamfisted config file editing so I went into time machine to get a backup.
You do this by using the Finder "go to folder" feature to visit /usr/local/mysql and then opening Time machine. I was surprised that there were very few backups shown, especially compared to my Desktop which went back forever.
Then I remembered 2 things, 1) /usr/local/mysql is a symbolic link (short cut) to /usr/local/mysql-versionnumber and 2) I had upgraded mysql a few days previously and deleted the old version when I was happy.
Time machine was following the symlink and only showing the directory it pointed to. In order to get older versions of mysql I had to "go to" /usr/local and then browse back in order to see all of the (now deleted) mysql data folders.
So if you want to restore a deleted folder using Time Machine remember to set Finder to that folder's parent before trying to go back in time. And beware of symlinks and shortcuts, easily overlooked in the heat of the moment.
You do this by using the Finder "go to folder" feature to visit /usr/local/mysql and then opening Time machine. I was surprised that there were very few backups shown, especially compared to my Desktop which went back forever.
Then I remembered 2 things, 1) /usr/local/mysql is a symbolic link (short cut) to /usr/local/mysql-versionnumber and 2) I had upgraded mysql a few days previously and deleted the old version when I was happy.
Time machine was following the symlink and only showing the directory it pointed to. In order to get older versions of mysql I had to "go to" /usr/local and then browse back in order to see all of the (now deleted) mysql data folders.
So if you want to restore a deleted folder using Time Machine remember to set Finder to that folder's parent before trying to go back in time. And beware of symlinks and shortcuts, easily overlooked in the heat of the moment.