How to duplicate a file given a different name in the same directory in windows

Question

I have been trying to duplicate a file but change the name of it in the same windows directory but I got not luck.

I cant just copy the file in the same directory because of the windows rule that two files cannot have the same name in the same directory.

I am not allowed to copy it to another directory then rename it, and then move it back in the same directory.

And I don't see any helpful implementation in the File.class.

Tried something like that but it didnt work:

File file = new File(filePath);
File copiedFile = new File(filePath);
//then rename the copiedFile and then try to copy it
Files.copy(file, copiedFile);

@runefist didnt thought there was a point adding that, so i just added the step as a comment — Sir. Hedgehog
– Sir. Hedgehog, Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 13:40
@reporter what do you mean? create a filename how? and do what with it? — Sir. Hedgehog
– Sir. Hedgehog, Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 13:41
the windows rule that two files cannot have the same name in the same directory I don't think any operating system will let you create two files with the same name in the same directory. Do you want two different files that both have exactly the same contents? — Abra
– Abra, Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 13:58

runefist · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-14 14:07:45Z

2

An initial attempt would be using Path as suitable:

Path file = Paths.get(filePath);
String name = file.getFileName().toString();
String copiedName = name.replaceFirst("(\\.[^\\.]*)?$", "-copy$0");
Path copiedFile = file.resolveSibling(copiedName);
try {
    Files.copy(file, copiedFile);
} catch (IOException ex) {
    Logger.getLogger(Main.class.getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex);
}

edited Mar 14, 2019 at 14:07

runefist

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answered Mar 14, 2019 at 13:48

Joop Eggen

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6 Comments

Sir. Hedgehog Over a year ago

did you try this code out? on the start I see it needs a cast to Path from Paths? or am my ide is wrong somehow?

Joop Eggen Over a year ago

@Sir.Hedgehog okay.

Sir. Hedgehog Over a year ago

hmmm The method copy(File, OutputStream) in the type Files is not applicable for the arguments (Path, Path) are we sure the copy can accept Path ?

Joop Eggen Over a year ago

See copy - one can leave out the vararg copy options, or do Files.copy(file, copiedFile, StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING); The right java.nio.file.Files class?

Joop Eggen Over a year ago

Yes, my automatic pilot leaves me also at odds regularly.

|

Pierre · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-14 13:50:44Z

2

You could create a new file in the same directory and then just copy the contents of the original file to the duplicate See: Java read from one file and write into another file using methods For more info

you can also use this snippet from https://www.journaldev.com/861/java-copy-file

private static void copyFileUsingStream(File source, File dest) throws IOException {
    InputStream is = null;
    OutputStream os = null;
    try {
        is = new FileInputStream(source);
        os = new FileOutputStream(dest);
        byte[] buffer = new byte[1024];
        int length;
        while ((length = is.read(buffer)) > 0) {
            os.write(buffer, 0, length);
        }
    } finally {
        is.close();
        os.close();
    }
}

edited Mar 14, 2019 at 13:50

answered Mar 14, 2019 at 13:42

Pierre

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4 Comments

Sir. Hedgehog Over a year ago

but what if the file is a pdf, doc or docx? how is the format going to apply on that?

Pierre Over a year ago

Well you can write byte by byte so I suppose that should work

Sir. Hedgehog Over a year ago

but that would ruin the format of the text inside of it, in case of a docx i guess. it is very important that the files are not to be altered

Pierre Over a year ago

well if you write on the byte level the formatting should be unchanged, i also added an exmaple

runefist · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-14 14:14:43Z

@Pierre his code is perfect, however this is what I use so I won't be able to change the extension:

public static void copyWithDifferentName(File sourceFile, String newFileName) {
    if (sourceFile == null || newFileName == null || newFileName.isEmpty()) {
        return;
    }
    String extension = "";
    if (sourceFile.getName().split("\\.").length > 1) {
        extension = sourceFile.getName().split("\\.")[sourceFile.getName().split("\\.").length - 1];
    }
    String path = sourceFile.getAbsolutePath();
    String newPath = path.substring(0, path.length() - sourceFile.getName().length()) + newFileName;
    if (!extension.isEmpty()) {
        newPath += "." + extension;
    }
    try (OutputStream out = new FileOutputStream(newPath)) {
        Files.copy(sourceFile.toPath(), out);
    } catch (IOException e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
    }
}

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