From: Phrogz <gavin@...>
Date: 2006-08-16T03:35:09+09:00
Subject: Re: building a log by watching a file

Bil Kleb wrote:
> So, I was thinking of turning on a "watcher" that
> would save off inputs decks every time an edit is
> detected.
>
> Anyone have a one-liner?

Definitely not a one-liner, but I can offer:
http://phrogz.net/RubyLibs/rdoc/files/DirectoryWatcher_rb.html

With that, it'd be as easy as:

   edit_logger = Dir::DirectoryWatcher.new( 'directory/to/watch', 2 )

   # Only look at certain files in the directory
   edit_logger.name_regexp = /\.fortran$/

   edit_logger.on_modify = Proc.new{ |the_file, stats_hash|
      puts "Hey, #{the_file.inspect} just changed."
      # Do something cool here.
   }

   edit_logger.start_watching