java.io.IOException: The system cannot find the path specified writing a textfile

Question

I'm writing a program where I'm trying to create a new text file in the current directory, and then write a string to it. However, when trying to create the file, this block of code:

//Create the output text file.
File outputText = new File(filePath.getParentFile() + "\\Decrypted.txt");
try
{
    outputText.createNewFile();
}
catch (IOException e)
{
    e.printStackTrace();
}

is giving me this error message:

java.io.IOException: The system cannot find the path specified
    at java.io.WinNTFileSystem.createFileExclusively(Native Method)
    at java.io.File.createNewFile(Unknown Source)
    at code.Crypto.decrypt(Crypto.java:55)
    at code.Crypto.main(Crypto.java:27)

Because of this I cannot write to the file because it naturally does not exist. What am I doing wrong here?

what is the value of filePath.getParentFile() just before outputText is constructed? — hmjd
– hmjd, Commented May 27, 2012 at 20:54

Wormbo · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-27 21:14:53Z

6

If you're working with the File class already, consider using its full potential instead of doing half the work on your own:

File outputText = new File(filePath.getParentFile(), "Decrypted.txt");

answered May 27, 2012 at 21:14

Wormbo

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2 Comments

Inglonias Over a year ago

java.io.FileNotFoundException: ::{031E4825-7B94-4DC3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\Pictures.library-ms\Decrypted.txt (The system cannot find the path specified)

is what happens. Bear in mind, this is the Pictures library.

Inglonias Over a year ago

I'm marking this as the answer, because it works and the error messages I'm getting are not my fault, but rather the fault of Windows and the way Libraries are handled. Thanks for all of your help, everyone!

Óscar López · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-27 21:10:00Z

2

What's the value of filePath.getParentFile()? What operating system are you using? It might be a better idea to join both paths in a system-independent way, like this:

filePath.getParentFile() + File.separator + "Decrypted.txt"

edited May 27, 2012 at 21:10

answered May 27, 2012 at 20:52

Óscar López

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8 Comments

Inglonias Over a year ago

While that got rid of the error message, I don't see the file in the directory I used. Where is it?

Inglonias Over a year ago

Actually, on further study, this only removed the error message. I don't see the file

Óscar López Over a year ago

@Inglonias write this in your code, right after creating the new file: System.out.println(outputText.getCanonicalPath());. Just to be sure where's the file, if it's not where you expect it you'll need to fix the path accordingly

Inglonias Over a year ago

It's going to "C:\Users\Joshua (coolguy)\workspace\GUI Steganography MK II\Pictures;Decrypted.txt" which is the workspace path. What gives?

Inglonias Over a year ago

This thing is being incredibly frustrating! I have a different error message now. java.io.IOException: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect It's possible that since I'm working on the file from the Pictures library (Win 7) it's being stupid. EDIT: Moving the file to the Desktop fixes all errors.

|

Jason Sturges · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-28 19:32:06Z

0

It should be created as a sibling of the file pointed by filePath.

for example if

File filePath = new File("C:\\\\Test\\\\a.txt");

Then it should be created under Test dir.

edited May 28, 2012 at 19:32

Jason Sturges

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answered May 27, 2012 at 21:12

Dror

1

1 Comment

ryvantage Over a year ago

Consider using File.separator as opposed to those god-forsaken exited-backslashes.

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