How to detect files

[hog]

I have an app that I want to sit and wait for two files that are being created from another application. When these files are detected I want the screen to be updated and a button enabled to allow further processing of these two require files.

 

This is what I'm attempting but with little success:

 

Do While True

 Application.DoEvents()

 ' if file one exists update screen

 ' if file two exist update screen

 ' if both files exits enable button and jump out of loop

Loop

 

Is this something that I should be using a Thread on? Bear in mind I haven't used threads before which is why for something so simple I'm using the DoEvents method:)

[dynamic_sysop]

you could always try using the io.systemfilewatcher , eg:

  Dim WithEvents fw As IO.FileSystemWatcher

   Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
       fw = New IO.FileSystemWatcher("C:\testing")
       With fw
           .EnableRaisingEvents = True
           .WaitForChanged(IO.WatcherChangeTypes.Created)
           .BeginInit()
           Application.DoEvents()
       End With
   End Sub

   Private Sub fw_Changed(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.IO.FileSystemEventArgs) Handles fw.Changed
       If e.Name = "first file created" Then
           '//do stuff when the file gets made.
       ElseIf e.Name = "second file created" Then
           '//do stuff for the other file.
       End If
   End Sub

hope it puts you on track :)

[mutant]

Use the FileSystemWatcher component, its in your toolbox under Components section or IO.FileSystemWatcher. Set the filter to monitor a directory and use the Created event to check the file names.

[hog]

Okey dokey thanks chaps, I'll give it a whirl.

 

I did get my code to work eventually like this.......I take it is is less efficient than the filewatcher?

 

           Do While True

               ' let the computer carry on with background events

               Application.DoEvents()

               ' check for files and if they exist update the screen

               fFile1 = New FileInfo(strFileP1)

               If fFile1.Exists Then

                   Me.chkP1Detected.Checked = True

               End If

               fFile2 = New FileInfo(strFileP2)

               If fFile2.Exists Then

                   Me.chkP2Detected.Checked = True

               End If

               ' if both files exist enable button to allow user to generate p3.txt interface file
               ' and jump out of loop

               If Me.chkP1Detected.Checked And Me.chkP2Detected.Checked Then

                   Me.cmdGenerateP3.Enabled = True

                   Exit Do

               End If
           Loop

 

ps congratulations on the twins:):)

[Bucky]

The FileSystemWatcher is much more efficient and proper to use.

It creates a system-wide hook that receives messages whenever

file changes take place. It is only "running" when it's

needed, but your method is hogging (no pun intended) all kinds

of system resources.

[hog]

man I's jus gotta say I lus your avitar....I can't stop laughin lol:)

 

Yep I recoded to use the filewatcher so no more hoggin :)