ignore file modify using Jnotify

I am using Jnotify to write an app. (JNotify is a library for for detecting file modification.)

The app has the following components:

1. A file writer that writes to file X

2. A file watcher (created using JNotify) that watches file X

3. An external app (such as notepad) that writes to file X as demanded by user.

I want JNotify to trigger notifications only when X is modified using 3, and to ignore when modified via 1. (or at least differentiate between modifications via 1 and 3).

Is there a simple way in which I can do it? One way is to have a synchronized variable that is toggled when the file writer writes to it, but I feel this is not very elegant.

In any case you need some communication between 1 + 2 to temporary disable 2 (as for 3 you have no way to do so). If 1 + 2 running in the same JVM of course the more appropiated way is to share some state in a common variable.

You may think of other smart ways to communicate. One cames to my mind: Before 1 starts to write it will generate a lock file that 2 is also lsten on. When the lock file get removed from 1 after writes are done, 2 may continue listen on the file after notified abut lock file deletion.