I have a folder that gets filled up with log files. I'd like to have a script or some other background task that would automatically remove files from that folder when they get to be older than a day or two. What's the easiest way to do that?
You could create an Automator app using "Run Shell Script", then replace the example 'cat' command with
find /the/path/to/your/folder -iname "*.log" -type f -mtime +1 -deleteSave as an application
Now setup an iCal repeating event that has an 'alert' that specifies "Opens file", where you specify the file as your Automator created application.
The Unix 'find' command will find all the files that match the specified criteria.
NOTE: Be very CAREFUL with this command as if you point it at the wrong location it will delete things you do not want, and there is no way to return from a delete via 'find'.
The /the/path/to/your/folder is how you tell 'find' where you want it to start searching.
The -iname "*.log" gives it a file pattern to match. I'm assuming your log files end in .log, but the -iname can use any wildcard pattern to match your log files.
The -type f tells the 'find' command to only select actual files, but ignore directories, symbolic links, devices, FIFOs, etc...
The -mtime +1 tells 'find' to select files which have a modification date at least a day old. Anything less than a day old will be ignored.
The -delete will delete any file that matches the previous selection critieria. This is the DANGEROUS part of the command. WIthout this option, 'find' will just display the files it finds. With the -delete it will delete them without any undo capability.
You should test your 'find' command very carefully WITHOUT the -delete to make sure it is selecting the correct files from the correct directory. Once you are happy, you can add the -delete option.
Message was edited by: BobHarris
You could create an Automator app using "Run Shell Script", then replace the example 'cat' command with
find /the/path/to/your/folder -iname "*.log" -type f -mtime +1 -deleteSave as an application
Now setup an iCal repeating event that has an 'alert' that specifies "Opens file", where you specify the file as your Automator created application.
The Unix 'find' command will find all the files that match the specified criteria.
NOTE: Be very CAREFUL with this command as if you point it at the wrong location it will delete things you do not want, and there is no way to return from a delete via 'find'.
The /the/path/to/your/folder is how you tell 'find' where you want it to start searching.
The -iname "*.log" gives it a file pattern to match. I'm assuming your log files end in .log, but the -iname can use any wildcard pattern to match your log files.
The -type f tells the 'find' command to only select actual files, but ignore directories, symbolic links, devices, FIFOs, etc...
The -mtime +1 tells 'find' to select files which have a modification date at least a day old. Anything less than a day old will be ignored.
The -delete will delete any file that matches the previous selection critieria. This is the DANGEROUS part of the command. WIthout this option, 'find' will just display the files it finds. With the -delete it will delete them without any undo capability.
You should test your 'find' command very carefully WITHOUT the -delete to make sure it is selecting the correct files from the correct directory. Once you are happy, you can add the -delete option.
Message was edited by: BobHarris
Why not use Automator to create a "Folder Action" associated with that Folder, then everytime something is changed in the folder, the Folder Action automator script will run, and purge files older than 1 day.
If you have a .scpt, you could maybe select the Folder you want to purge, Right-Click -> Services -> Folder Action Setup... -> <Cancel> to dismiss the Pick List -> [+] and specify your script, or your Automator app.
Why not use Automator, and specify you want to create a Folder Action. Automator will then do all the heavy lifting on Lion or Mountain Loin. You could use a Run Shell Script, or a Run Appkescript Autonator action.
> Why not use Automator to create a "Folder Action" associated with that Folder
what is the difference (functionally) between Automator and just having a .scpt (which I downloaded on-line and looks like it will do what I need)?
> Right-Click -> Services -> Folder Action Setup... -> <Cancel> to dismiss the Pick List -> [+]
> and specify your script, or your Automator app.
aha. I was trying to get my file onto the Pick List and couldn't figure out how to do it. If I dismiss it and try to add, my .scpt file is grayed out and I can't add it. What am I doing wrong - what has to be done to the file to make it selectable for this?
Which logs are those?
They're not OS logs - they're logs from my own piece of software.
You could do that with an applescript. Out of my paygrade.
Can someone tell me where to put the .scpt file I made so that it's visible in the list of scripts that shows up when adding an Action to a Folder?
how to automatically remove files older than 1 day from a given folder?
