Java - File renameTo() Method

---

---

.

Description

The Java File renameTo(File dest) method rename the file indicated by this abstract name.

Declaration

Following is the declaration for java.io.File.renameTo(File dest) method −

public boolean renameTo(File dest)

Parameters

dest − The new abstract pathname for this abstract pathname.

Return Value

This method returns true if the renaming succeeded, else false.

Exception

• SecurityException − If a security manager exists and its method denies write access to either the old or new pathnames.

• NullPointerException − If parameter destination is null.

Example 1

The following example shows the usage of Java File renameTo() method. We've created two File references. Then we're creating a File Object using a file path which is present in the given location and a new File which is not present. Using renameTo() method, we're trying to rename the first time and getting the result in boolean variable. Then we're printing the status of directory being created or not.

package com.tutorialspoint;
import java.io.File;
public class FileDemo {
   public static void main(String[] args) {      
      File f = null;
      File f1 = null;
      boolean bool = false;
      
      try {  
      
         // create new File objects
         f = new File("F:/Test2/test.txt");
         f1 = new File("F:/Test2/testABC.txt");
         
         // rename file
         bool = f.renameTo(f1);
         
         // print
         System.out.print("File renamed? "+bool);
         
      } catch(Exception e) {
         // if any error occurs
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result −

File renamed? true

Now, you can check that file is renamed.

Example 2

The following example shows the usage of Java File renameTo() method. We've created two File references. Then we're creating a File Object using a file path which is present in the given location and a new File which is also present. Using renameTo() method, we're trying to rename the first time and getting the result in boolean variable. Then we're printing the status of directory being created or not.

package com.tutorialspoint;
import java.io.File;
public class FileDemo {
   public static void main(String[] args) {      
      File f = null;
      File f1 = null;
      boolean bool = false;
      
      try {  
      
         // create new File objects
         f = new File("F:/Test2/test.txt");
         f1 = new File("F:/Test2/testABC.txt");
         
         // rename file
         bool = f.renameTo(f1);
         
         // print
         System.out.print("File renamed? "+bool);
         
      } catch(Exception e) {
         // if any error occurs
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result −

File renamed? false