Menu
I need a solution in creating a script to tail a log file that is recreated (with the same name) after it reaches a certain size.
Using "tail -f" causes the tailing to stop when the file is recreated/rotated.
What I would like to do is create a script that would tail the file and after it reaches 100 lines for example, then restart the command... Or even better to restart the command when the file is recreated?
Is it possible?
364
To watch log files that get rotated on a daily base you can use the -F flag to tail command. The tail -F will keep track if new log file being created and will start following the new file instead of the old file.
The tail command is essentially used for showing the lines of a file from the end and hence the term 'tail'. You can use the -f option to follow the tail of a file, which means that it will keep on showing the new lines added to the file continuously. To stop the tailing of the log file, use Ctrl+C terminal shortcut.
As said, tail command is the most common solution to display a log file in real time. However, the command to display the file has two versions, as illustrated in the below examples. In the first example the command tail needs the -f argument to follow the content of a file.
Use the following simple syntax to show the tail end of a log file in real-time. You can also filter the log right at the command line using regular expressions: Requires Windows Powershell (duh!) Basic functionality but some 3rd party extensions are available. For example, you need multiple cmdlet windows to monitor multiple files
Using tail to Track Files in Real-Time Tracking new text entries arriving in a file—usually a log file—is easy with tail. Pass the filename on the command line and use the -f (follow) option. tail -f geek-1.log
The tail command makes it easy to view log entries as they are written in real-time. Jack Wallen shows you how to make use of this indispensable tool. One of the single most helpful tools in your Linux admin arsenal is log files. And with the open-source platform, there are quite a few different log files to view.
But for those of you yearning for simplicity, this just might be the log tail tool you’re looking for. The most recent update, however, is from back in 2009, and the most recent version, inotail 0.5, was released in 2007.
Yes! Use this (the retry will make tail retry when the file doesn't exist or is otherwise inaccessible rather than just failing - such as potentially when you are changing files):
tail -f --retry <filename> OR
tail --follow=name --retry OR
tail -F <filename> try running
watch "tail -f" yourfile.log If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
