It sounds like the objective is to limit how big the log file (or files) get. In that case, I'd probably just write to a file named with the current date, then delete anything older than n days using a cron job.

That way you have a little history that you run some analysis on if you like. It's not going to keep the log files down to specific size, but if you still want to do that, then I'd set the cron job up to delete daily log files until you get down below the maximum size for all existing logs.

I believe that either of these alternatives would be more efficient then rewriting the entire log file after chopping off the front part.

--t. alex

"Here's the chocolates, and here's the flowers. Now how 'bout it, widder hen, will ya marry me?" --Foghorn Leghorn