Bash script, watch folder, execute command

Question

I am trying to create a bash script with 2 parameters:

• a directory
• a command.

I want to watch the

Answer 1

METHOD 1:

#!/bin/sh

check() {
    dir="$1"
    chsum1=`digest -a md5 $dir | awk '{print $1}'`
    chsum2=$chsum1

    while [ $chsum1 -eq $chsum2 ]
    do
        sleep 10
        chsum2=`digest -a md5 $dir | awk '{print $1}'`
    done

    eval $2
}

check $*

This script takes in two parameters [directory, command]. Every 10 seconds the script executes check() to see it the folder has changed. If not it sleeps and the cycle repeats.

In the event that the folder has changed, it evals your command.

METHOD 2:
Use a cron to monitor the folder.

You'll have to install incron:

 sudo apt-get install incron

And then your script will look something like this:

#!/bin/bash
eval $1

(You won't need to specify the folder since it will be the job of the cron to monitor the specified directory)

A full, working example can be found here:

http://www.errr-online.com/index.php/2011/02/25/monitor-a-directory-or-file-for-changes-on-linux-using-inotify/