Java Rename File
File renameTo method returns true if file rename is successful, else it returns false.
Some of the rename operation behaviors are platform dependent. For example, it might fail if you move a file from one filesystem to another or if a file already exists with the same name at the destination directory.
In Mac OS, if the destination file already exists renameTo() override the existing file with the source file.
Java Move File
Moving a file is achieved by the renameTo() function itself. Moving a file doesn’t change file contents, just its directory location. A file complete path contains directory information with the file name, renameTo method is able to change the directory path too, hence move the file.
Java Rename File Example
Here is the example program showing different ways for java rename file or java move file.
RenameFileJava.java
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package com.journaldev.files; import java.io.File; public class RenameFileJava { /** * Rename File or Move File in Java example * @param args */ public static void main(String[] args) { //absolute path rename file File file = new File("/Users/pankaj/java.txt"); File newFile = new File("/Users/pankaj/java1.txt"); if(file.renameTo(newFile)){ System.out.println("File rename success");; }else{ System.out.println("File rename failed"); } //relative path rename file file = new File("DB.properties"); newFile = new File("DB_New.properties"); if(file.renameTo(newFile)){ System.out.println("File rename success");; }else{ System.out.println("File rename failed"); } //java move file from one directory to another file = new File("/Users/pankaj/DB.properties"); newFile = new File("DB_Move.properties"); if(file.renameTo(newFile)){ System.out.println("File move success");; }else{ System.out.println("File move failed"); } //when source file is not present file = new File("/Users/pankaj/xyz.txt"); newFile = new File("xyz.properties"); if(file.renameTo(newFile)){ System.out.println("File move success");; }else{ System.out.println("File move failed"); } // when destination already have a file with same name file = new File("/Users/pankaj/export.sql"); newFile = new File("/Users/pankaj/java1.txt"); if(file.renameTo(newFile)){ System.out.println("File move success");; }else{ System.out.println("File move failed"); } } } |
We should always check the renameTo return value to make sure rename file is successful because it’s platform dependent and it doesn’t throw IO exception if rename fails. That’s all for a quick java rename file and move file example.
Reference: API Doc