Comparing file timestamps

[spanky]

I'm trying to compare a file's mtime to the current time. Does anyone know how I can do this? The goal is to be able to have a script that will delete certain files that have a mtime greater than 24 hours. Thanks!

 

[speg]

How do you want to do this?

I just took 2 mins to try this in Automator.... pretty simple. Go check it out!

 

[spanky]

Hi. I want to be able to do this via command line, because I want to pack it into a shell script. I guess I'm looking for some command line help 🙂

 

[speg]

You can save Automator workflows as an application (and then run it from the command line?) or use the automator command to run workflows from the command line.

Unfortunately, I think I just ran into a bug where 'in the last x days' does not include today. So you'd have to include that additionally if you want to include today.

 

[spanky]

You can save Automator workflows as an application (and then run it from the command line?) or use the automator command to run workflows from the command line.

Unfortunately, I think I just ran into a bug where 'in the last x days' does not include today. So you'd have to include that additionally if you want to include today.

i was able to get some help over at macrumors, and a fellow there informed me that i could do what i wanted in one fell swoop with the following command:

find . -not -newermt "24 hours ago" -exec rm '{}' \;

thank you speg for your feedback. i've not used automator much, but it does appear to be a powerful tool to fiddle with and learn