opensnoop

Opensnoop is a command-line tool that allows you to monitor and track all file opens by processes in real-time on a Unix-like operating system. It provides a way to inspect file access patterns and gain visibility into the files being accessed by different applications or processes.

Using opensnoop, you can observe the filename, process ID, process name, file descriptor, and the timestamp for every file that is opened on your system. It can be helpful in troubleshooting issues related to file access, tracking the behavior of specific applications, or identifying potential security concerns.

Opensnoop leverages the kernel's dynamic tracing framework known as DTrace, which allows it to operate at a low level and provide accurate and detailed information about file opens. It relies on kernel-provided events to collect file open data without modifying or interrupting the normal execution of any processes.

This tool is particularly handy when dealing with a large number of processes or when troubleshooting specific file-related problems. Due to its real-time monitoring capability and low overhead, opensnoop is often used by system administrators, developers, and security analysts to gain visibility and insights into the file access behavior of applications running on a Unix-like system.