File Events: A Comprehensive Guide

​What Are File Events?
File Events monitors changes to files, such as creation, modification, deletion, or renaming, and triggers workflows in automation systems. Acting as a “watchdog”, it enables event-driven processes, streamlining tasks and enhancing automation capabilities.

How to Use File Events?By configuring event conditions, you can define triggers for workflows. When specified conditions are met, the workflow is initiated, executing associated tasks. File Events supports customizations to handle multiple triggers for extended functionality.


Key Configurations for File Events
Mandatory Attributes

• FileName: monitors files by name and path (supports wildcards). Operator: EQ. Single value only.
• Workstation: monitors a specific workstation (HCL UnO agent-supported, no wildcards). Operator: EQ. Single attribute allowed.
• SampleInterval: polling interval in seconds for monitoring. Operator: EQ. Single value only.

Optional Attributes

• TimeStamp: triggers events within a specific time range (format: YYYY-MM-DDTHH). Operators: GE, LE, GT, LT.
• HostName: filters by host name (supports wildcards). Operators: EQ, NE. Multiple values allowed, separated by commas.

Example: Setting Up File Events Via New UI

1. Create a new workflow and a trigger

2. Create a new Event Trigger and event conditions as per your need

3. Select a File Event Type

4. Fill in the mandatory fields and Voila! An Event Trigger is created

​Breakdown of the Workflow Definition

1. Trigger Conditions:
   Each NAME block defines a specific event condition (e.g., file creation, modification, or deletion).
2. Filters:
   Attributes like FileName, Workstation, and SampleInterval define the precise scenarios to trigger workflows.
3. Tasks:
   Tasks LS1 and LS2 are executed when all conditions are satisfied.

By combining mandatory and optional attributes, File Events provides flexible automation for workflows, ensuring precise and efficient task management.

​Real-Life Example of File EventsScenario: Automated Shipment Updates
Requirement: A logistics company stores shipment details in files on a central server. They want to automate notifications and update dashboards whenever shipment status’ change.
Solution:

• File Created: a shipment registration triggers a notification email with tracking details.
• File Modified: status updates (e.g., "Out for Delivery") trigger dashboard updates for customer service.
• File Deleted: shipment delivery deletes the file and sends a "Thank you" email to the customer.

This real-life example highlights how File Events can streamline operations, ensuring real-time responsiveness and automation for businesses.

Author

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​Shubham Singh - Consultant at HCLSoftware
 
Shubham Singh is a Consultant at HCL Software, contributing his expertise to the Workload Automation team. With a strong foundation in technologies such as Java, Spring, and SQL, he is passionate about developing robust and efficient solutions. Beyond work, Shubham is an avid cricket enthusiast and enjoys expressing himself through dance, balancing his professional pursuits with his creative and athletic passions.

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Muzzammil Ehtisham Cholavaram - Senior Software Engineer III at HCLSoftware
He joined HCL in May 2023 as an API Automation Test Engineer, bringing expertise in designing and executing automated tests to ensure API functionality, performance, and security. Proficient in tools like Java, REST Assured, Selenium, and Postman, he is passionate about enhancing code quality and optimizing testing frameworks. Outside of work, Muzzammil enjoys playing badminton and exploring new places with friends.