title: Using node.js to monitor changes (in database)
body: <p>First of all, I must state that this is more of a "strategy" or "algorithm" kind of question, and I'm not sure if it fits the rules here. Please forgive me if this is at the wrong place, and simply let me know where should I ask the question if so. No need to get hostile.</p>
  
  <p>I have also done my research (read questions like <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6145826/node-js-monitoring-a-database-for-changes">Node.js - Monitoring a database for changes</a> or <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1467369/invoking-a-php-script-from-a-mysql-trigger/1467405#1467405">Invoking a PHP script from a MySQL trigger</a>) but couldn't find a really satisfied answer so...</p>
  
  <p>My scenario: I'm working a reserve auction site. The product(s) is set at a price says 100usd, and during the auction period (5min-10min) the price will drop (multiple times) to a RANDOM amount at a RANDOM time. These random amount and time are actually already pre-set at the beginning by the seller.</p>
  
  <p>There will be many buyers/watchers, and we need to update them with real time price when the price drop happens. I have been considering different options:
  1. I can use node.js to watch certain files (each product will have a file which simply contains the current price of that product, and we will simply use a cron to update these files?)
  2. Or, since we already knew before hand when the price changes will happen, we can have, say a "timer" for each product that will wake up at the specific time and notify all users watching it?</p>
  
  <p>I think there could be some better ways as well, which is why I want to post it here and hopefully someone already did something similar can shed some light on me <em>_</em></p>
  
  <p>Thank you very much in advance.</p>