How to create a folder which listens for changed files or new files

Question

I have a requirement where I create many swc files (swc files are similar to zip or jar files). I want that, whenever I create a new swc file and add it in a "particular folder" then these files should automatically get extracted (similar to what happens in Apache Tomcat webapps folder). Please help me how to do that in Windows. [Note: I know I can write a ant/rake/gradle script which can do this for me, but just to explore more in Windows how to achieve this]

Answer 1

Use the FileSystemWatcher class if you're using .NET. (here)

Answer 2

you could use the .NET FileSystemWatcher to do this task. (from withing c#, vb.net, etc..) with FileSystemWatcher you can observer creation, deletion and modification of files and react to those events.

Answer 3

If you want to do it in a windows scripted fashion, you would use a WMI Event Watcher. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms141130.aspx

Answer 4

Don't use .NET (for kids) Use Win32 api notifications (8 lines of code)

Answer 5

If you are not using .NET, then you can use the FindFirstChangeNotification function to listen for filesystem changes.

Answer 6

FileSystemWatcher is the obvious choice in .Net.

IMHO, its not a good component. Many a times it raises double events for change of files and I have not been able to do a neat implementation using FileSystemWatcher.