Cannot find file for FileReader

Entering a file name listings.txt to be used in this program. I am consistently getting a "file not found" error no matter where I put the file.


//This was to determine where the program is looking for files
File appBase = new File("FindMe.txt"); //current directory
String path = appBase.getAbsolutePath();
System.out.println(path);

//This is to get the file name and put it into a Filereader
//(file is to be predetermined as listings.txt)
Scanner console = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.println("Enter the name of your listing file:");
String listingsFile = console.nextLine();
FileReader reader = new FileReader(listingsFile);
//etc etc....


// The listings.txt file IS IN the absolute directory indicated by the program. I // triplechecked.
//Error message:
Exception in thread "main" java.io.FileNotFoundException: listings.txt (The system cannot find the file specified)
at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Native Method)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:106)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:66)
at java.io.FileReader.<init>(FileReader.java:41)
at exercise.Main.main(Main.java:39)
Java Result: 1

The file must be in the root directory. Where the src, .settings, and bin folders are located on your hard drive. I ran it with the same code and got no error. If you still get an error, try creating a completely new class, recompiling, and saving again.

Tried this again, this time using Eclipse rather than Netbeans as my IDE. Same problem:

"The import java.io.FileReader is never used"
During debugging "Source not found."

The listings.txt file IS IN the right directory!
I am looking in windows explorer right now, it is there with the bin and src directories, and is in the same tree that the absolute path lines of code said.

Why the heck is it not being found?

Create and run a program similar to this one:

Code:

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public class Fu3 {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
      System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.dir"));
  }
}

---

This: System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.dir")) ;
will tell you where Java is looking when it's looking for the file.

I did exactly as you said; the directory indicated is precisely where the listings.txt file is located. I verified this again through Windows Explorer. It's there!

Next suggestion??

Cross-posted: FileReader cannot find text file! (I/O and Streams forum at JavaRanch)

Please read what JavaRanch says about cross-posting. The same rules apply here and in other programming fora.

Quote:

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I verified this again through Windows Explorer

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This involves too many assumptions.

Do what what Fubarable suggested and output the value of "user.dir". Output the absolute path associated with what the user entered. Output the contents of the parent of this directory. Post the program output: diagnostic messages and runtime errors.

The indicated line of code:

run:
C:\School items\Java Stuff\Exercise2
BUILD SUCCESSFUL (total time: 0 seconds)

Therefore, I know exactly where the listings.txt file should be. And it IS THERE.

When running the program:
run:
C:\School items\Java Stuff\Exercise2\FindMe.txt
Enter the name of your listing file:
C:\\School items\\Java Stuff\\Exercise2\\listings.txt
Exception in thread "main" java.io.FileNotFoundException: C:\School items\Java Stuff\Exercise2\listings.txt (The system cannot find the file specified)
at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Native Method)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:106)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:66)
at java.io.FileReader.<init>(FileReader.java:41)
at taskstream2.Main.main(Main.java:39)
Java Result: 1
BUILD SUCCESSFUL (total time: 17 seconds)

If I could post a screenshot of the directory, I would. The listings.txt file is there! (no, not a hidden or system file or anything. Just a plain old notepad text file.

And, as I have just discovered, I am to notify potential replyers that this question is also posted elsewhere (Java Ranch) and I have not received any replies there other than the assumption that the file is not where the program is looking. Same suggestions, same effect.

Is this a String that you're entering at the command line?:
C:\\School items\\Java Stuff\\Exercise2\\listings.txt

With the double backslashes?

I've tried that double backslash way as well as single slashes, and of course the simple file name: listings.txt. All have the same error message. (I even tried the basic c:\listings.txt variations after copying the listings.txt file to that location too).
Thank you.

I'm thinking I renamed the file listings.txt to verify the name; forgetting it retained the extension... so it was actually being called listings.txt.txt on the drive.
Guess that's why I'm a nub.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spooge

I'm thinking I renamed the file listings.txt to verify the name; forgetting it retained the extension... so it was actually being called listings.txt.txt on the drive.
Guess that's why I'm a nub.

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There's no crime in being a newbie as long as you don't give up. Thanks for giving us the solution to this problem as it's always good to get closure. Good luck with this project and your programming education.