inot

inot is a command-line utility for Linux and Unix-like operating systems that monitors a directory or file for changes. It allows users to specify particular events to watch for, such as file modifications, attribute changes, or the creation or deletion of files. The primary purpose of inot is to enable scripts or applications to react automatically when specific filesystem events occur.

The utility works by leveraging the inotify kernel subsystem, which provides an interface for monitoring filesystem events. Users can configure inotify to watch multiple directories or individual files. When an event occurs that matches the watch criteria, inotify notifies the user-space program that is running inot. This notification typically includes details about the event, such as the filename and the type of event that took place.

Common use cases for inot include automated file synchronization, triggering build processes when source code is modified, or logging filesystem activity. It can be integrated into shell scripts or more complex applications to automate tasks that depend on real-time filesystem changes. The tool offers a way to efficiently detect and respond to filesystem modifications without the need for constant polling, which would be less performant.