FileSystemWatcher vs. Polling: Which is the Best Approach for Reliable File Change Detection?

FileSystemWatcher and Polling: The Best Way to Reliable File Change Detection

In local or network file system monitoring, developers need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of FileSystemWatcher and scheduled polling in terms of reliability and performance.

FileSystemWatcher

FileSystemWatcher monitors file system events and triggers events when files are created, deleted, or modified. It is generally considered a more efficient method of file change detection because it does not require continuous polling. However, its reliability can be a concern.

Polling

The polling method periodically checks for file changes at set intervals. It is a simpler method, but requires more resources and may impact performance, especially if polling intervals are frequent. However, it provides a more powerful method of file change detection.

Reliability

FileSystemWatcher is known to occasionally fail in production and test environments, causing file changes to be missed. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use polling as the primary mechanism for file change detection, with FileSystemWatcher as a secondary means.

Performance

Polling can impact performance if the polling interval is set too frequently. FileSystemWatcher, on the other hand, is generally more lightweight, but may not be reliable enough for critical applications.

Recommended method

To get the best of both worlds, developers should consider combining FileSystemWatcher with periodic polling. FileSystemWatcher quickly identifies file changes, while occasional polling acts as a backup to catch any missed events.

Additionally, a "Refresh" option is provided in the user interface, allowing users to manually trigger file change detection if desired, further improving reliability without impacting performance.

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