Event handler on file change and get changes in file using NodeJS File System

Question

I want to watch a specific file to look for specific changes using Node and also fetch those changes in the file. Is there anyway doing that using fs?

Answer 1

Yes, you can do it by using fs.

How to do it:

1. Load file content
2. Watch file
3. Compare content with the previous one when change event is triggered
4. Update file content

It should look like this:

fs.watch('foo', function (event, filename) {
  if (event == 'change') {
    // Load file content
    // Compare to one previously loaded
    // actualContent = newContent
  }
});

See:

• fs.watch documentation: https://nodejs.org/api/fs.html#fs_fs_watchfile_filename_options_listener
• Event change documentation: https://nodejs.org/docs/latest/api/fs.html#fs_event_change