Locking a file in multi bot environment

Help Studio
1

Hi all, need your help, advice, and suggestions. I have a bot that reads JSON file from a set directory every minute and process it. I am planning to add multiple bots for the same process to distribute the load and reduce the overall wait time. I am trying to put a mechanism that will eliminate the possibility of multiple bots picking up the same file. In other words, if a bot already processing a JSON file, other bots should not be able to process it. What would be the best way to handle it?

I was thinking of locking the file until the process is complete - but could not find any UiPath activities. Please help me with your advice and suggestions. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Thanks in advance.

2

I’d simply rename it and after processing rename it back. Maybe using a queue is a better option.

3

Thanks, moenk. I never used queue before. Will that require a separate bot - we have limited licenses. Is there a way to lock a file so that other bot can’t process the same file?

4

As I said - renaming the file when processing it.
From the way you were asking I guess you dont want to start the real thing: