Wait for directory changes in Windows XP?

[Stephen]

I am trying to write a Perl script that will watch a directory for MP2
files created by some TV recording software, then trigger some other
actions on each file that is created (eg convert them into MP3).

I have looked at ChangeNotify and AdvNotify. However, I think both of
these will trigger action as soon as the recording software STARTS writing
a file.

I want to trigger action when it has FINISHED writing the file.

In an Explorer window can see the file get opened and progressively growing
during the recording. There is no published API to lock the file, etc.

Any suggestions?

 

[Brian Wakem]

I am trying to write a Perl script that will watch a directory for MP2
files created by some TV recording software, then trigger some other
actions on each file that is created (eg convert them into MP3).

I have looked at ChangeNotify and AdvNotify. However, I think both of
these will trigger action as soon as the recording software STARTS writing
a file.

I want to trigger action when it has FINISHED writing the file.

In an Explorer window can see the file get opened and progressively growing
during the recording. There is no published API to lock the file, etc.

You could use stat to monitor the size of the file every x seconds. If it
doesn't change for a while then the program has probably finished writing to
it.