A Path Cache is used to watch a ZNode. Whenever a child is added, updated or removed, the Path Cache will change its state to contain the current set of children, the children's data and the children's state.

• PathChildrenCache
• PathChildrenCacheEvent
• PathChildrenCacheListener
• ChildData

public PathChildrenCache(CuratorFramework client,
                         String path,
                         boolean cacheData)
Parameters:
client - the client
path - path to watch
cacheData - if true, node contents are cached in addition to the stat

The cache must be started by calling start(). Call close() when you are through with the cache.

There are two versions of start(). The no-arg version gives default behavior. The other version takes an enumeration that allows you to control how the initial cache is warmed:

public enum StartMode
{
    /**
     * cache will _not_ be primed. i.e. it will start empty and you will receive
     * events for all nodes added, etc.
     */
    NORMAL,

    /**
     * rebuild() will be called before this method returns in
     * order to get an initial view of the node.
     */
    BUILD_INITIAL_CACHE,

    /**
     * After cache is primed with initial values (in the background) a
     * PathChildrenCacheEvent.Type.INITIALIZED event will be posted
     */
    POST_INITIALIZED_EVENT
}

At any time, call getCurrentData() to get the current state of the cache. You can also register to be notified when a change occurs by calling getListenable() and then:

public void addListener(PathChildrenCacheListener listener)
     Add a change listener
Parameters:
listener - the listener

PathChildrenCache instances internally monitor a ConnectionStateListener. If the connection state changes, the cache is reset (the PathChildrenCacheListener will receive a RESET).