Identifying the end of a file transfer

[Sarah Reichelt]

On 5/18/06, Richard Miller <wow at together.net> wrote:
> I've got one stack sending a file out to server, and a separate stack
> (on a separate machine) scanning the server for the availability of
> that file. When it sees it, it needs to retrieve it from the server.
>
> Problem is, this second stack is seeing the availability of the file
> BEFORE it has completely transferred onto the server. If it starts
> retrieving it when it first sees it, well... the result isn't good.
>
> Is there any simple way for the second stack to know the file
> transfer is complete before it starts accessing this file? I realize
> I could have the first stack send a small "flag" file out to the
> server after the original file was transferred, and the second stack
> could wait until it sees that flag... but I'm wondering if there
> isn't some easier way.

Upload the file with a temporary name, then re-name it once it has
completely uploaded. The rename should be virtually instant.

Cheers,
Sarah