UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi,
I have a directory that is used to store files generated by another application. Each file is huge and can take some time to produce.
I am writing a shell script to check the names and dates of the files and do some functions on the ones that are not being written out.

My question is, if I use a command like cat for example on a file that is being written by another application (while it is being written) will I get an error or will the cat just retunr a zero return code?

For example, if the application was generating file called f1, and I do this:
cat f1>f2
what would be the return code?

I am using Sun/Solaris and I find this kind of hard to test.

Thanks in advance.

Ahem....

Code:

#! /usr/bin/ksh
exec > f1
echo first line
while : ; do
       sleep 1
       echo yet another line
done

Launch that script in the background and then try the cat. The cat will work, but you should understand how to test it anyway.

Im not sure but i guess it will say 'Cannot open f1'...

Cheers
Thumsup

Maybe he is trying to idnetify open files - like fuser or lsof.