Not sure what a file's access time actually means!

[Studio_Junkies]

I have devised this simple class that just iterates a directory, looking at the stats() of each file. If the aTime or mTime is different than the last time it checked, then it alerts me to unofficial activity.

Good in theory. Problem is that when I download a file with my FTP client, it doesn't update the aTime. Same if I view a live web page, it doesn't touch the file.

Seems I misunderstand the meaning of accessTime. Could someone kindly spell it out for me please? It isn't listed by google.

Cheers.

[Studio_Junkies]

Also, I notice that a cron calling a file with wget does update the access time. I'm a bit confused about all this! I thought the access time would be updated each time the file is viewed.