Monitor Your File System With Python’s Watchdog

Python’s watchdog library makes it simple to observe your file system and reply to those modifications routinely. Watchdog is a cross-platform API that permits you to run instructions in response to any modifications within the file system being monitored. We will set triggers on a number of occasions comparable to file creation, modification, deletion, and motion, after which reply to those modifications with our customized scripts.

Setup for Watchdog

You may want two modules to start:

• Watchdog: Run this command under within the terminal to put in the watchdog.

   

• Logging: It’s a built-in Python module, so there is no such thing as a must externally set up it.

Fundamental Utilization

Let’s create a easy script ‘main.py’ that displays a listing and prints a message every time a file is created, modified, or deleted.

Step 1: Import Required Modules

First, import the mandatory modules from the watchdog library:

import time
from watchdog.observers import Observer
from watchdog.occasions import FileSystemEventHandler

Step 2: Outline Occasion Handler Class

We outline a category MyHandler that inherits from FileSystemEventHandler. This class overrides strategies like on_modified, on_created, and on_deleted to specify what to do when these occasions happen. The occasion handler object can be notified when any modifications occur within the file system.

class MyHandler(FileSystemEventHandler):
    def on_modified(self, occasion):
        print(f'File {occasion.src_path} has been modified')

    def on_created(self, occasion):
        print(f'File {occasion.src_path} has been created')

    def on_deleted(self, occasion):
        print(f'File {occasion.src_path} has been deleted')

Some helpful strategies of FileSystemEventHandler are defined under.

• on_any_event: Executed for any occasion.
• on_created: Executed upon creation of a brand new file or listing.
• on_modified: Executed upon modification of a file or when a listing is renamed.
• on_deleted: Triggered upon the deletion of a file or listing.
• on_moved: Triggered when a file or listing is relocated.

Step 3: Initialize and Run the Observer

The Observer class is liable for monitoring the file system for any modifications and subsequently notifying the occasion handler. It constantly tracks file system actions to detect any updates.

if __name__ == "__main__":
    event_handler = MyHandler()
    observer = Observer()
    observer.schedule(event_handler, path=".", recursive=True)
    observer.begin()

    strive:
        whereas True:
            time.sleep(1)
    besides KeyboardInterrupt:
        observer.cease()
    observer.be part of()

We begin the observer and use a loop to maintain it operating. Once you need to cease it, you possibly can interrupt with a keyboard sign (Ctrl+C).

Step 4: Run the Script

Lastly, run the script with the next command.

Output:

File .File1.txt has been modified
File .New Textual content Doc (2).txt has been created
File .New Textual content Doc (2).txt has been deleted
File .New Textual content Doc.txt has been deleted

The above code will log all of the modifications within the listing to the terminal if any file/folder is created, modified, or deleted.

Superior Utilization

Within the following instance, we are going to discover tips on how to arrange a system that detects any change in Python information and run exams for it routinely. We have to set up pytest with the next command.

Step 1: Create a Easy Python Venture With Assessments

First, arrange the fundamental construction of your venture:

my_project/
│
├── src/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── instance.py
│
├── exams/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── test_example.py
│
└── watchdog_test_runner.py

Step 2: Write Code in Instance Python File

Create a easy Python module in src/instance.py:

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

def subtract(a, b):
    return a - b

Step 3: Write the Take a look at Circumstances

Subsequent, write the check instances for features in exams/test_example.py:

import pytest
from src.instance import add, subtract

def test_add():
    assert add(1, 2) == 3
    assert add(-1, 1) == 0
    assert add(-1, -1) == -2

def test_subtract():
    assert subtract(2, 1) == 1
    assert subtract(1, 1) == 0
    assert subtract(1, -1) == 2

Step 4: Write the Watchdog Script

Now, create the watchdog_test_runner.py script to observe modifications in Python information and routinely run exams:

import time
import subprocess
from watchdog.observers import Observer
from watchdog.occasions import FileSystemEventHandler

class TestRunnerHandler(FileSystemEventHandler):
    def on_modified(self, occasion):
        if occasion.src_path.endswith('.py'):
            self.run_tests()

    def run_tests(self):
        strive:
            end result = subprocess.run(['pytest'], verify=False, capture_output=True, textual content=True)
            print(end result.stdout)
            print(end result.stderr)
            if end result.returncode == 0:
                print("Tests passed successfully.")
            else:
                print("Some tests failed.")
        besides subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
            print(f"Error running tests: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    path = "."  # Listing to observe
    event_handler = TestRunnerHandler()
    observer = Observer()
    observer.schedule(event_handler, path, recursive=True)
    
    observer.begin()
    print(f"Watching for changes in {path}...")

    strive:
        whereas True:
            time.sleep(1)
    besides KeyboardInterrupt:
        observer.cease()
    
    observer.be part of()

Step 5: Run the Watchdog Script

Ultimately, open a terminal, navigate to your venture listing (my_project), and run the watchdog script:

python watchdog_test_runner.py

Output:

Looking ahead to modifications in ....
========================= check session begins =============================
platform win32 -- Python 3.9.13, pytest-8.2.1, pluggy-1.5.0
rootdir: F:Internet Devwatchdog
plugins: anyio-3.7.1
collected 2 gadgets

teststest_example.py ..                                                 [100%]

========================== 2 handed in 0.04s ==============================

Assessments handed efficiently.

This output exhibits that every one the check instances are handed after modifications had been made to instance.py file.

Summing Up

Python’s watchdog library is a robust instrument for monitoring your file system. Whether or not you are automating duties, syncing information, or constructing extra responsive functions, watchdog makes it simple to react to file system modifications in actual time. With only a few traces of code, you can begin monitoring directories and dealing with occasions to streamline your workflow.

Kanwal Mehreen Kanwal is a machine studying engineer and a technical author with a profound ardour for information science and the intersection of AI with medication. She co-authored the book “Maximizing Productivity with ChatGPT”. As a Google Technology Scholar 2022 for APAC, she champions range and tutorial excellence. She’s additionally acknowledged as a Teradata Variety in Tech Scholar, Mitacs Globalink Analysis Scholar, and Harvard WeCode Scholar. Kanwal is an ardent advocate for change, having based FEMCodes to empower girls in STEM fields.