Shell function to tail a log file for a specific string for a specific time

Question

I need to the following things to make sure my application server is

1. Tail a log file for a specific string
2. Remain blocked until that string is printe

Answer 1

You can do it like this:

start_time=$(date +"%s")
while true
do
    elapsed_time=$(($(date +"%s") - $start_time))
    if [[ "$elapsed_time" -gt 1200 ]]; then
        break
    fi
    sleep 1
    if [[ $(grep -c "specific string" /path/to/log/file.log) -ge 1 ]]; then
        break
    fi
done