Java Program to Rename a File

Program

import java.io.File;
import java.util.Scanner;
public class FileRename
{
	public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		File src_file = null, dest_file = null;
		String src_file_name = null, dest_file_name = null;
		Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
		System.out.print("Enter the file name: ");
		src_file_name = sc.next();
		src_file = new File(src_file_name);
		System.out.print("Enter the new name: ");
		dest_file_name = sc.next();
		dest_file = new File(dest_file_name);
		if(src_file.renameTo(dest_file))
		{
			System.out.println("File renamed successfully from " + src_file + " to " + dest_file);
		}
		else
		{
			System.out.println("Rename operation failed");
		}
	}
}

Purpose

The program:

1. Allows a user to rename an existing file.
2. Uses the renameTo method from the File class to perform the operation.

1. Import Statements

import java.io.File;
import java.util.Scanner;

• java.io.File: Provides the File class for file operations.
• java.util.Scanner: Facilitates user input from the console.

2. Class Definition

public class FileRename

Defines the class FileRename, containing all the logic for renaming a file.

3. Main Method

The main method contains:

• User interaction for file name inputs.
• Logic for renaming a file.

4. Define File Objects

File src_file = null, dest_file = null;
String src_file_name = null, dest_file_name = null;

• src_file: Represents the original file.
• dest_file: Represents the new file name.
• src_file_name and dest_file_name: Strings to store user input for file names.

5. Get User Input

The program prompts the user for:

1. The name of the file to rename.
2. The desired new file name.

System.out.print("Enter the file name: ");
src_file_name = sc.next();
System.out.print("Enter the new name: ");
dest_file_name = sc.next();

• The Scanner class is used for console input.

6. Create File Objects

src_file = new File(src_file_name);
dest_file = new File(dest_file_name);

• src_file: Represents the original file path.
• dest_file: Represents the new file path.

7. Rename the File

if (src_file.renameTo(dest_file)) {
	System.out.println("File renamed successfully from " + src_file + " to " + dest_file);
} else {
	System.out.println("Rename operation failed");
}

• renameTo:
  • Attempts to rename the file.
  • Returns true if successful, false otherwise.
• Success Case: Prints a success message.
• Failure Case: Prints an error message.

Key Concepts

1. File Class:

   • The renameTo method renames a file or directory.
   • It may fail if:
     • The file does not exist.
     • The file is in use.
     • Permissions are insufficient.
     • The destination file already exists.

2. User Interaction:

   • The program dynamically accepts file names from the user.

3. Error Handling:

   • No explicit exception handling is used; instead, the renameTo method’s boolean output indicates success or failure.

Output 1

Enter the file name: source.txt
Enter the new name: dest.txt
File renamed successfully from source.txt to dest.txt

Output 2

Enter the file name: source.txt
Enter the new name: dest.txt
Rename operation failed