A C++ encapsulation of the Linux inotify API
The inotify API allows you to monitor a file or directory for various events such as file creation, modification, and deletion. It is part of the Linux kernel and the glibc userspace library, however its C API can be cumbersome to use in a C++ application. A C++ binding of inotify does exist, but it still requires the application developer to write an unsightly wait-and-handle loop. My goal for this project was to create an asynchronous event-driven API through which filesystem events can be processed.
My inotify encapsulation, Inotify_cpp, hides inotify’s read loop behind a simple system of event callbacks. A programmer who seeks to monitor the filesystem only needs to write an event callback (which can be as simple or as complicated as desired) and attach it to a watch. It will then receive events as they occur, all while allowing the main application thread to attend to more important matters. An example of the library’s ease of use is included.
Currently, Inotify_cpp implements all the functionality of the underlying inotify API, only with the exception of cookie handling for move events. However, this will be implemented soon, and I even plan to extend my library beyond the capabilities of traditional inotify. Most importantly, I will add support for recursive watching – one of the most sought-after features inotify lacks.
Inotify_cpp is hosted on Github. You can clone or fork it here: