We are attempting to use the FileDate and FileTime functions to monitor files for changes. The help file states that these functions return the date/time the file was last modified, but in fact it is returning the date/time the file was created.

Is this a bug or misprint? How does one retrieve a file's last modified data and time?

On Windows 95/98, the create and modify dates are the same, so this is correct statement for 95 and 98.

On NT it is probably returning the create date

: We are attempting to use the FileDate and FileTime functions to monitor files
: for changes. The help file states that these functions return the
: date/time the file was last modified, but in fact it is returning the
: date/time the file was created.

: Is this a bug or misprint? How does one retrieve a file's last modified data
: and time?

: On Windows 95/98, the create and modify dates are the same, so this is
: correct statement for 95 and 98.

: On NT it is probably returning the create date

First of all, thanks for your quick response!

We are currently evaluating the product and really like it compared to some of the other's we have looked at. However, the ability to process changed files in a BIG issue for us. Specifically, we want to monitor directories for new/modified files as they arrive and process these files automatically.

So is there currently a way to get the last modified date/time on NT?
Will these functions be fixed in the near future to behave correctly on NT?

Take a look at DirWaitForUpdate, SyncFTPDir, SyncLocalDir, SyncRemoteDir
These statements can watch for files and copy new/updated files to some other directory where you will process all of them

Also consider FileSetAttr, FileGetAttr. FileSetAttr can be used to mark processed files as not having "File has changed since last backup", all new or updated files will have this attributed set to "File has changed since last backup" This way you can find new and updated files without using dates and times

: First of all, thanks for your quick response!

: We are currently evaluating the product and really like it compared to some
: of the other's we have looked at. However, the ability to process changed
: files in a BIG issue for us. Specifically, we want to monitor directories
: for new/modified files as they arrive and process these files
: automatically.

: So is there currently a way to get the last modified date/time on NT?
: Will these functions be fixed in the near future to behave correctly on NT?