Deleting a File that is opened

[ravian]

I am reading a text file that is being used by some other process. I want to delete it after using. How this is possible.

[CaptainMorgan]

Hope this helps.... Google is your friend.

[ravian]

Thanks but it only works if file is not being used. I have a Java thread that is writing to the text file. The second thread tries to delete the file. Is it possible?

[CaptainMorgan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravian

Thanks but it only works if file is not being used. I have a Java thread that is writing to the text file. The second thread tries to delete the file. Is it possible?

Hmm.... it's my understanding that it might not be able to delete a file that is being used - that's just plain OS/Software fundamentals. Ever try deleting your Word or Open Office document that's currently open? You get a lovely popup message saying "you must close this file before you can delete it"... or something to that effect. But maybe there is a way in Java... maybe someone knows. What we do know, is that even though you have two threads, at some point the thread using the file will eventually stop using the file, unless you've implemented an infinite loop into the program.... interesting question nevertheless.

[DwayneWayne]

It is possible... I reckon that you save your loaded data from the file in some sort of data-structure, array etc.

You need to load the file and then remember to use the .close() method, then you should be able to overwrite/delete the file.

[tim]

Hello DwayneWayne

You can try the File.deleteOnExit() method. It should wait until your program finishes running and then deletes the file. However, this will not work, if some other program is using the file.

Good luck!

[it2051229]

Yeah.. i was also wondering if Java has the ability to stop a currently running process and then delete the file.. is that possible? if it is, how do i do it?? any work around tricks you have?