[Advanced-java] simulate Unix tail -f function

[fgreco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Frank D. Greco)]

At 09:52 AM 4/22/2002 -0400, Karen Shiau wrote:
 >I have an application which will read log files from other
 >apps, and grep "ERROR" or "WARNING" on those log files.
 >However, the new log text is keep coming and appending to the
 >end of files.  How can I simulate the functionality of Unix
 >tail -f command on Java?

	No magic... just do what tail does.

	Periodically check the mod time of the file.  When
	you have a "newer" file, print the last line (keep
	track of where you are in the file for the next
	new data).

	Personally, I'd create a class that fired my
	own events (e.g., "ModifiedFileEvent", "AppendedDataFileEvent")
	when certain file-oriented things happened.
	I'm an event-oriented kinda guy...  :)

	Of course to simulate GREP (not that you asked or anything),
	take a look at the new regex stuff in 1.4.

	Frank G.
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