Is there a way to get ls to listen for changes and update output similar to tail -f?












0














I have a process that creates many files in a known directory, and the only way to tell how far along it is is to type ls manually. Is there a way to make the output of ls update automatically as new files are created, similar to how tail -f works? Because of their names, every new file appears at the end of the list, so I wouldn't have to worry about them appearing in the middle.










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  • Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
    – Kusalananda
    16 mins ago










  • In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago










  • Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago
















0














I have a process that creates many files in a known directory, and the only way to tell how far along it is is to type ls manually. Is there a way to make the output of ls update automatically as new files are created, similar to how tail -f works? Because of their names, every new file appears at the end of the list, so I wouldn't have to worry about them appearing in the middle.










share|improve this question







New contributor




David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
    – Kusalananda
    16 mins ago










  • In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago










  • Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago














0












0








0







I have a process that creates many files in a known directory, and the only way to tell how far along it is is to type ls manually. Is there a way to make the output of ls update automatically as new files are created, similar to how tail -f works? Because of their names, every new file appears at the end of the list, so I wouldn't have to worry about them appearing in the middle.










share|improve this question







New contributor




David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I have a process that creates many files in a known directory, and the only way to tell how far along it is is to type ls manually. Is there a way to make the output of ls update automatically as new files are created, similar to how tail -f works? Because of their names, every new file appears at the end of the list, so I wouldn't have to worry about them appearing in the middle.







terminal ls






share|improve this question







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David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






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David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 20 mins ago









David ScottDavid Scott

1




1




New contributor




David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






David Scott is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
    – Kusalananda
    16 mins ago










  • In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago










  • Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago


















  • Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
    – Kusalananda
    16 mins ago










  • In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago










  • Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
    – David Scott
    12 mins ago
















Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
– Kusalananda
16 mins ago




Is the program that creates the files something that instead could possibly be updated to output how far it has come, alternatively how far it has left to go? If not, a tool that is often used to detect file modifications/creation is inotify.
– Kusalananda
16 mins ago












In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
– David Scott
12 mins ago




In this specific instance, yes. However I've bumped into this problem in cases where I could not edit the program, and because I couldn't find an answer to this problem on the internet. I figured it would be a useful trick to know, and may help someone else out if there is a solution.
– David Scott
12 mins ago












Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
– David Scott
12 mins ago




Also, doing this without editing the program does not restrict you to receiving the output in the launch terminal, and can be turned on and off.
– David Scott
12 mins ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















0














You can use command like:



watch ls


to loop execution of ls command



Of you can create explicit loop with while



while [ 1 ]
do
clear
ls
sleep 60
done




share





















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    1 Answer
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    active

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    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    0














    You can use command like:



    watch ls


    to loop execution of ls command



    Of you can create explicit loop with while



    while [ 1 ]
    do
    clear
    ls
    sleep 60
    done




    share


























      0














      You can use command like:



      watch ls


      to loop execution of ls command



      Of you can create explicit loop with while



      while [ 1 ]
      do
      clear
      ls
      sleep 60
      done




      share
























        0












        0








        0






        You can use command like:



        watch ls


        to loop execution of ls command



        Of you can create explicit loop with while



        while [ 1 ]
        do
        clear
        ls
        sleep 60
        done




        share












        You can use command like:



        watch ls


        to loop execution of ls command



        Of you can create explicit loop with while



        while [ 1 ]
        do
        clear
        ls
        sleep 60
        done





        share











        share


        share










        answered 5 mins ago









        Romeo NinovRomeo Ninov

        5,39731827




        5,39731827






















            David Scott is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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