how can i "poll" a folder and grab files as they are created?

[bookouri]

On a couple of "interfaces" I have, I create text files from our database, and i store them in folders for the vendor(s) applications. The vendor(s) applications "know" when a file appears and they grab the file and process it. How can i use VB/VBScript to "watch" a folder and do something whenever a user dumps a file there? Ive done this on "timers" before, but now I need to have the event happen immediately when the file is created.

any suggestions would be appreciated...

 

[mrmovie]

you need to read up on WMI async event notification.
you can registry for a file creation event. bascially the end result will be a function in your script will be called when the creation event occurs. it is quite a complicated process. i would recommend you buy this book which has a good section on how to accomplish the task
isbn 1-57870-260-7

 

[mrmovie]

this is a blocking method call.
not the best way to do it and not the async way i suggested in the last post but it might get you started

strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" _
& "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _
strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colMonitoredEvents = objWMIService.ExecNotificationQuery _
("SELECT * FROM __InstanceCreationEvent WITHIN 10 WHERE Targetinstance ISA 'Win32_Directory'")
Do
Set objLatestEvent = colMonitoredEvents.NextEvent
Wscript.Echo "hello " & objLatestEvent.TargetInstance.Name
Loop

 

[bookouri]

Thanks, I had no idea where to start looking, that should get me started....

 

[chris13]

Another way is to use the API-function "ReadDirectoryChanges". I used it to create a monitor-application C.

Have look at

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...y/en-us/fileio/base/readdirectorychangesw.asp

 

[chris13]

Another way is to use the API-function "ReadDirectoryChanges". I used it to create a monitor-application C.

Have a look at

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...y/en-us/fileio/base/readdirectorychangesw.asp

 

[mrmovie]

beg your pardon, i didnt see the VB bit, defo go the api way chris13 suggests if you are going the VB way

 

[bookouri]

thanks, Ive been looking at the WMI stuff. Ill take a look at the API stuff too. The API methods will probably be easier in this case...

 

[chris13]

Hi,
the API function is not as simple as wished, too. you'll need to parse FILE_NOTIFY_INFORMATION buffers to get your results. I used it synchronously and had no problems even when monitoring big trees like c:\, but asynchronous opration is possible, tool.