get files located on computer

Question

Is java able to access directories and their contents located on the computer it's run from? I know that there is a JFileChooser (Where the user can select files), and I know that you can store/open files with direct paths. But can java get all files and directories conntained with a folder?

Can java list file contents of directories stored on a hard drive?

Yes, it can. So long as the account used to execute the application has the right permissions. — Oded, Apr 22 '11 at 20:23

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:13

3

You can get the files under any directory like this:

File[] files = new File("/some/path").listFiles();

You might also be interested in how to recursively list files in Java.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:13

Community

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answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:25

WhiteFang34

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score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:23

2

Yes, it can.

So long as the account used to execute the application has the right permissions.

answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:23

Oded

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score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:27

2

Yes, it can. In addition to what Oded said, in the case of applets, you need to explicitly grant access to read and write to a hard drive.

answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:27

Coding District

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 22 '11 at 20:29

You can use a filepath to a directory you want and you can do something like:

File directory = new File("PATH TO DIRECTORY");
File [] contents;
if (directory.isDirectory()) {
    contents = directory.listFiles();  // returns an array containing the file and directory abstract paths.
}

get files located on computer

4 Answers4