FileSystemWatcher Class in .Net

FileSystemWatcher class allows us to connect to the directories and watch for specific changes within them, such as creation of new files, addition of subdirectories and renaming of files or subdirectories. Using FileSystemWatcher it is possible to detect when certain files or directories are created, modified or deleted

We can initiate a FileSystemWatcher using any of below.

1. FileSystemWatcher Watcher = new FileSystemWatcher(); //Intializes a new instance of the FileSystemWatcher Class

2. FileSystemWatcher Watcher = new FileSystemWatcher("c:\\"); //Intializes a new instance with a Path property

3. FileSystemWatcher Watcher = new FileSystemWatcher("c:\\","*.txt"); //Intializes a new instance along with a Path and Filter properties

If we initiate it like in 1., we can set the Path and Filter proporties as given below

Watcher.Path = "c:\\";
Watcher.Filter = "*.txt";

Also we have to add followings too.

Watcher.EnableRaisingEvents = true;
Watcher.IncludeSubdirectories = false;
Watcher.NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.LastWrite | NotifyFilters.Size;

To access Created, Deleted, Renamed and Changed events, you have to define handlers that automatically call methods in your code when a change occurs. To create a handler, use the following code:

Watcher.Changed += new FileSystemHandler(myWatcher_Changed); //Handler for Changed Event

Watcher.Created += new FileSystemHandler(myWatcher_Created); //Handler for Created Event

Watcher.Deleted += new FileSystemHandler(myWatcher_Deleted); //Handler for Deleted Event

Watcher.Renamed += new RenamedEventHandler(myWatcher_Renamed);//Handler for Renamed Event

Then you can write codes for what you want to do when such event occured as given below

protected void watcher_Created(
object sender, System.IO.FileSystemEventArgs e)
{
//Codings for what you want to do
}

FileSystemWatcher class makes our work easy.

Good Luck !