Python and win32 API - using a C file

Question

With ActiveState Python comes a win32api module. I need to implement something that monitors directories recursively for file-changes. Actually there's an example in the MSDN library using C. I don't know whether the win32api bindings are sufficient for something like this.

Can I import this into a Python project? Because it may be easier to write the file-alteration monitor itself in C, and to handle the results within Python. The problem is: how do I make that interact with each other.

Answer 1

Why not try some of the python win32 examples here. It uses pywin32 and does what you want.

• http://timgolden.me.uk/python/win32_how_do_i/watch_directory_for_changes.html

The "C" code that you have mentioned with link to MSDN uses FindFirstChangeNotification. Tim Golden's example uses the same through python win32 bindings. I guess this is what you want.

All windows APIs are exposed and can be utilized via pywin32.

Answer 2

Read the documentation and try it out for yourself. win32file.FindFirstChangeNotification, etc. are there and work.