Sample code for 30+ languages & platforms
Lua

Set a Remote FTP File's Last-Modified Time

See more FTP Examples

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ftp2.SetRemoteFileDateTimeStr method, which sets the last-modified time of a remote file. The first argument is an RFC 822 date-time string and the second is the remote filename.

Background: An upload normally leaves the remote file stamped with the time it arrived, which loses the original modification time — a problem for backups, mirrors, and timestamp-based sync. This method restores it, and Chilkat converts the supplied time to UTC before sending a server-supported command (typically MFMT). Whether it is honored depends on the server implementing such a command and granting permission.

Chilkat Lua Downloads

Lua
local chilkat = require("chilkat")

-- Demonstrates the Ftp2.SetRemoteFileDateTimeStr method, which sets the last-modified time of a
-- remote file.  The 1st argument is an RFC 822 date-time string and the 2nd is the remote
-- filename.

local ftp = chilkat.Ftp2.new()

ftp.hostname = "ftp.example.com"
ftp.username = "myFtpLogin"

-- Normally you would not hard-code the password in source.  You should instead obtain it
-- from an interactive prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
ftp.password = "myPassword"

local success = ftp:connect()
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end

-- Chilkat converts the date to UTC and sends a server-supported timestamp-setting command.
success = ftp:set_remote_file_date_time_str("Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:15:30 -0600", "public_html/report.pdf")
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end

print("Remote file timestamp set.")

success = ftp:disconnect()
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end