Java's createNewFile() - will it also create directories?

Question

I've got a conditional to check if a certain file exists before proceeding (./logs/error.log). If it isn't found I want to create it. However, will

File tmp = new File("logs/error.log");
tmp.createNewFile();

also create logs/ if it doesn't exist?

score 208 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 13 '13 at 08:58

208

No.
Use tmp.getParentFile().mkdirs() before you create the file.

edited Sep 13 '13 at 08:58

Michael Schmidt

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answered Jul 12 '11 at 15:00

jtahlborn

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Oops. I was using "tmp.mkdirs()". That's why my file was being created as a folder – GabrielBB Nov 13 '18 at 20:56

Eng.Fouad · Answer 2 · 2018-05-18T22:36:30.287

22

File theDir = new File(DirectoryPath);
if (!theDir.exists()) theDir.mkdirs();

edited May 18 '18 at 22:36

answered Jul 12 '11 at 15:02

Eng.Fouad

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I propose to use "mkdirs" instead of "mkdir" so your code can also create non-existing parent folders :) – Nimpo Aug 03 '16 at 15:05

score 14 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 11 '13 at 05:42

14

File directory = new File(tmp.getParentFile().getAbsolutePath());
directory.mkdirs();

If the directories already exist, nothing will happen, so you don't need any checks.

edited Mar 11 '13 at 05:42

ajon

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answered Jul 12 '11 at 15:09

Jake Roussel

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score 10 · Answer 4 · answered May 31 '18 at 08:40

Java 8 Style

Path path = Paths.get("logs/error.log");
Files.createDirectories(path.getParent());

To write on file

Files.write(path, "Log log".getBytes());

To read

System.out.println(Files.readAllLines(path));

Full example

public class CreateFolderAndWrite {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try {
            Path path = Paths.get("logs/error.log");
            Files.createDirectories(path.getParent());

            Files.write(path, "Log log".getBytes());

            System.out.println(Files.readAllLines(path));
        } catch (IOException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 09 '15 at 19:56

4

StringUtils.touch(/path/filename.ext) will now (>=1.3) also create the directory and file if they don't exist.

answered Apr 09 '15 at 19:56

NathanChristie

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Pardon the late comment but this should now be `FileUtils.touch(new File(file_path))` – shark1608 Mar 08 '18 at 19:13

Alejandra · Answer 6 · 2019-02-03T15:05:40.070

0

No, and if logs does not exist you'll receive java.io.IOException: No such file or directory

Fun fact for android devs: calls the likes of Files.createDirectories() and Paths.get() would work when supporting min api 26.

edited Feb 03 '19 at 15:05

answered Feb 03 '19 at 14:58

Alejandra

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Java's createNewFile() - will it also create directories?

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