Monitoring a Folder

[nobaday]

Hi,
I've got a folder with a few hundred (to a few thousand) text files in it.
Every 3-30 seconds a new text file will appear in it.

I'd like to know what the new file is (i.e. it's filename) so I can open run so tests on its contents.

Any suggestions as to what the most elegant way to tackle this is?

Thanks!

[dunbarx]

Hi.

It sounds like you need to run a handler that checks the contents of that folder regularly, and compare its contents from one pass to the next.

I think that you can only get a list of files in the current defaulrFolder. But you can always set the defaultFolder property to the folder you are interested in.

Craig Newman

[Simon]

We're talking "the detailed files" here.

Simon

[SparkOut]

Is the timing critical?
If you have a new file created every 3 to 30 seconds, would you be able to poll every (say) 20 seconds and check any new files periodically like that? Or must the first new file be dealt with before the next new file is saved in the folder?

[nobaday]

HI, timing is pretty critical. I'd like to know within a second or two.

I'm trying to build a poker calculator for online play and some tracking software. It's been done before but it's a fun little project to work on while I do the Create It course.

So once a hand is finished a text file drops in a folder. A hand is finished about every 3-30 seconds.

I could keep the folders below a few hundred to speed it up. But it would be good to have the file picked up and examined within a second or less, so the information was ready quickly to be utilized while the next hand was playing.

Thanks!

[dunbarx]

Hi.

Do you know how to set up a recurring process in a handler that sends a message "in time"? Read up on the "send" command.

Craig

[nobaday]

Like a timer, then yes.

File names have a number on them, new files a higher number.

So build a recursive handler, each time it get a list off all the file names in a folder with a loop. Sort to find the highest number.

That make sense?

thanks!

[dunbarx]

Right on.

But make your timer using "send in time", as opposed to a repeat loop, so that you can still work.

Craig.

[nobaday]

Oops, yes, good advice!

[WaltBrown]

Nobaday,
I frequently create a folder called "Inbox" for this. That's where unprocessed files go. When I process them, I move them to another folder. That way I don't have very long lists of file names to search through or sort, especially if I need to frequently check for new files.
Walt

[nobaday]

that works, yes, I used to do similar with prepress processing of files (though with apple script). Good idea. could probably just have one file in the folder at any time....thx