File.rename() in Java - is it an atomic operation?

Question

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How to atomically rename a file in Java, even if the dest file already exists?

I'm working with a process the might be killed in middle of work. I want to rename a file. Is Java's rename operation an atomic operation?

I am interested in the case of Linux, HP-UX, Solaris, and AIX.

Maybe this question can help you: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/595631/how-to-atomically-rename-a-file-in-java-even-if-the-dest-file-already-exists — Marcelo, May 24 '11 at 15:24
@Marcelo: Looks like the other question is about overwrite-by-rename; this one asks about ordinary rename. — Mechanical snail, Aug 18 '12 at 23:10

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered May 24 '11 at 17:29

The Rename operation may or may not be atomic and it may or may not succeed if a file or directory already exists under the target name.On Unix two separate operations must be performed. First one must test whether a file exists under the target name. Then, if no such file exists, one can go ahead and rename the source file to the target name. Between these two operations a new file might be created under the target name and because the rename() system call is atomic and will destroy the target this new file will be deleted.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 24 '11 at 17:31

0

No.

~~At least because VM might be killed exactly after it left your code (after you entered File.rename() ), and before File.rename() code started running.~~

answered May 24 '11 at 17:31

Yoni Roit

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Sorry, I was answering the wrong question. It should be a property of operating system, I believe – Yoni Roit May 24 '11 at 17:34

File.rename() in Java - is it an atomic operation?

2 Answers2