Reading from a text file.

**Conno** · 31st May 2008, 03:19 AM

I have a log file which is updated in real time (new lines added). Reading from the Log File and loading it into a List Object is no problem.

The problem is when the file becomes 100K in size or bigger; and I need to check it every few seconds. I don't want to have to load the whole file into a list object just to get the last few added lines. With the larger size files, it can take upto 10-20 seconds to laod the entire file.

Is there a way I can just read the last X amount of lines of a file. It doesn't even matter if some of them were read previously. For example, the last 50 lines, or the last 10 lines of a file. Even the last 1 line.

Assuming the file is just plain text - how would one accomplish this?

Look forward to any ideas you may have! All replies very much appreciated.

**pinacoladaxb** · 31st May 2008, 03:24 AM

If you could give us the whole story, what your game is about, and why you are using a text file, that would be helpful for us. Especially if we can suggest an alternative method for doing whatever you are doing.

**Conno** · 31st May 2008, 03:26 AM

It's not a game, it's an application.

I have no control over the way the log file is created. It's created real time by a 3rd party program. I need to read the details from the log file.

I chose MMF to do it, because it's quick for prototype development. If there's no feasible solution, I'll just load up the ole VS

But yeah, any ideas?