file locking

["B.J. Bezemer" <bas.bezemer@wxs.nl>]

Hi,

Is there a method to read from and write to a gdbm-database used by
minivend, by a perl script without disturbing the minivend process?

I'm using an external payment system from my shop. The payment system sends
me a confirmation email on whether the payment was succesfull including
order number and other details. I want to make a perl script that
periodically checks the messages in my mail box, verify them with the open
orders in a gdbm/minivend-database, and, if the order is legitimate, change
the status of the order.

For secure operation, I want to include some type of file locking (flock or
something), but I can't seem to figure out how minivend does such a thing.

Any hints?

Regards,
Bas Bezemer