Question

I have a service running on a webserver that waits for a zip to be dropped in a folder, extracts it, and then moves it to a certain directory. Since we want to replace the directory in question, it renames the existing folder (very large folder, takes a couple minutes to delete), then moves the extracted files in its place, then deletes the old folder. The problem is: when it tries to rename the existing folder, it gets ‘Access to the path ‘<>’ is denied.’, I believe because the folder is in constant use by the webservice. Is there a way I can force the folder to rename, or take control and wait for it to not be in use? Or is there another way I can accomplish this goal?

Answer 1

You can’t “force” a rename while any process holds an underlying operating system handle to the folder(it would be horrible if you were able to do that).

You can:

• Implement pause/resume functionality for the webservice so it can be told to pause its work and release the handles, then resume after you are done.
  or
• Stop the webserice completely, do your work, then start the webservice