Module

Namespace for file utility methods for copying, moving, removing, etc.

What’s Here

First, what’s elsewhere. Module FileUtils:

Here, module FileUtils provides methods that are useful for:

Creating

Deleting

Querying

  • ::pwd, ::getwd: Returns the path to the working directory.

  • ::uptodate?: Returns whether a given entry is newer than given other entries.

Setting

  • ::cd, ::chdir: Sets the working directory.

  • ::chmod: Sets permissions for an entry.

  • ::chmod_R: Sets permissions for an entry and its descendants.

  • ::chown: Sets the owner and group for entries.

  • ::chown_R: Sets the owner and group for entries and their descendants.

  • ::touch: Sets modification and access times for entries, creating if necessary.

Comparing

Copying

Moving

Options

  • ::collect_method: Returns the names of methods that accept a given option.

  • ::commands: Returns the names of methods that accept options.

  • ::have_option?: Returns whether a given method accepts a given option.

  • ::options: Returns all option names.

  • ::options_of: Returns the names of the options for a given method.

Path Arguments

Some methods in FileUtils accept path arguments, which are interpreted as paths to filesystem entries:

  • If the argument is a string, that value is the path.

  • If the argument has method :to_path, it is converted via that method.

  • If the argument has method :to_str, it is converted via that method.

About the Examples

Some examples here involve trees of file entries. For these, we sometimes display trees using the tree command-line utility, which is a recursive directory-listing utility that produces a depth-indented listing of files and directories.

We use a helper method to launch the command and control the format:

def tree(dirpath = '.')
  command = "tree --noreport --charset=ascii #{dirpath}"
  system(command)
end

To illustrate:

tree('src0')
# => src0
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability

For certain methods that recursively remove entries, there is a potential vulnerability called the Time-of-check to time-of-use, or TOCTTOU, vulnerability that can exist when:

  • An ancestor directory of the entry at the target path is world writable; such directories include /tmp.

  • The directory tree at the target path includes:

    • A world-writable descendant directory.

    • A symbolic link.

To avoid that vulnerability, you can use this method to remove entries:

Also available are these methods, each of which calls FileUtils.remove_entry_secure:

Finally, this method for moving entries calls FileUtils.remove_entry_secure if the source and destination are on different file systems (which means that the “move” is really a copy and remove):

Method FileUtils.remove_entry_secure removes securely by applying a special pre-process:

  • If the target path points to a directory, this method uses methods File#chown and File#chmod in removing directories.

  • The owner of the target directory should be either the current process or the super user (root).

WARNING: You must ensure that ALL parent directories cannot be moved by other untrusted users. For example, parent directories should not be owned by untrusted users, and should not be world writable except when the sticky bit is set.

For details of this security vulnerability, see Perl cases:

Constants
No documentation available

This hash table holds command options.

No documentation available
No documentation available
Class Methods

Changes the working directory to the given dir, which should be interpretable as a path:

With no block given, changes the current directory to the directory at dir; returns zero:

FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc/fileutils"
FileUtils.cd('..')
FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc"
FileUtils.cd('fileutils')

With a block given, changes the current directory to the directory at dir, calls the block with argument dir, and restores the original current directory; returns the block’s value:

FileUtils.pwd                                     # => "/rdoc/fileutils"
FileUtils.cd('..') { |arg| [arg, FileUtils.pwd] } # => ["..", "/rdoc"]
FileUtils.pwd                                     # => "/rdoc/fileutils"

Keyword arguments:

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cd('..')
    FileUtils.cd('fileutils')
    

    Output:

    cd ..
    cd fileutils

FileUtils.chdir is an alias for FileUtils.cd.

Related: FileUtils.pwd.

An alias for cd

Changes permissions on the entries at the paths given in list (a single path or an array of paths) to the permissions given by mode; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise:

  • Modifies each entry that is a regular file using File.chmod.

  • Modifies each entry that is a symbolic link using File.lchmod.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

Argument mode may be either an integer or a string:

  • Integer mode: represents the permission bits to be set:

    FileUtils.chmod(0755, 'src0.txt')
    FileUtils.chmod(0644, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
    
  • String mode: represents the permissions to be set:

    The string is of the form [targets][[operator][perms[,perms]], where:

    • targets may be any combination of these letters:

      • 'u': permissions apply to the file’s owner.

      • 'g': permissions apply to users in the file’s group.

      • 'o': permissions apply to other users not in the file’s group.

      • 'a' (the default): permissions apply to all users.

    • operator may be one of these letters:

      • '+': adds permissions.

      • '-': removes permissions.

      • '=': sets (replaces) permissions.

    • perms (may be repeated, with separating commas) may be any combination of these letters:

      • 'r': Read.

      • 'w': Write.

      • 'x': Execute (search, for a directory).

      • 'X': Search (for a directories only; must be used with '+')

      • 's': Uid or gid.

      • 't': Sticky bit.

    Examples:

    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', 'src1.txt')
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', '/usr/bin/ruby')
    

Keyword arguments:

  • noop: true - does not change permissions; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.chmod(0755, 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod(0644, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', 'src1.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', '/usr/bin/ruby', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    chmod 755 src0.txt
    chmod 644 src0.txt src0.dat
    chmod u=wrx,go=rx src1.txt
    chmod u=wrx,go=rx /usr/bin/ruby

Related: FileUtils.chmod_R.

Like FileUtils.chmod, but changes permissions recursively.

Changes the owner and group on the entries at the paths given in list (a single path or an array of paths) to the given user and group; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise:

  • Modifies each entry that is a regular file using File.chown.

  • Modifies each entry that is a symbolic link using File.lchown.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

User and group:

  • Argument user may be a user name or a user id; if nil or -1, the user is not changed.

  • Argument group may be a group name or a group id; if nil or -1, the group is not changed.

  • The user must be a member of the group.

Examples:

# One path.
# User and group as string names.
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1004
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1004
FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', 'src0.txt')
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1006
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1005

# User and group as uid and gid.
FileUtils.chown(1004, 1004, 'src0.txt')
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1004
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1004

# Array of paths.
FileUtils.chown(1006, 1005, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])

# Directory (not recursive).
FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', '.')

Keyword arguments:

  • noop: true - does not change permissions; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown(1004, 1004, 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown(1006, 1005, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', path, noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', '.', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    chown user2:group1 src0.txt
    chown 1004:1004 src0.txt
    chown 1006:1005 src0.txt src0.dat
    chown user2:group1 src0.txt
    chown user2:group1 .

Related: FileUtils.chown_R.

Like FileUtils.chown, but changes owner and group recursively.

An alias for compare_file

Returns an array of the string method names of the methods that accept the given keyword option opt; the argument must be a symbol:

FileUtils.collect_method(:preserve) # => ["cp", "copy", "cp_r", "install"]

Returns an array of the string names of FileUtils methods that accept one or more keyword arguments:

FileUtils.commands.sort.take(3) # => ["cd", "chdir", "chmod"]

Returns true if the contents of files a and b are identical, false otherwise.

Arguments a and b should be interpretable as a path.

FileUtils.identical? and FileUtils.cmp are aliases for FileUtils.compare_file.

Related: FileUtils.compare_stream.

Returns true if the contents of streams a and b are identical, false otherwise.

Arguments a and b should be interpretable as a path.

Related: FileUtils.compare_file.

Recursively copies files from src to dest.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.copy_entry('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is a directory, recursively copies src to dest:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.copy_entry('src1', 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

The recursive copying preserves file types for regular files, directories, and symbolic links; other file types (FIFO streams, device files, etc.) are not supported.

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: true - if src is a symbolic link, follows the link.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies file from src to dest, which should not be directories.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

Examples:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
FileUtils.copy_file('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not follow the link.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies IO stream src to IO stream dest via IO.copy_stream.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies files.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file and dest is not the path to a directory, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.cp('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a file and dest is the path to a directory, copies src to dest/src:

FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp('src1.txt', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/src1.txt') # => true

If src is an array of paths to files and dest is the path to a directory, copies from each src to dest:

src_file_paths = ['src2.txt', 'src2.dat']
FileUtils.touch(src_file_paths)
FileUtils.mkdir('dest2')
FileUtils.cp(src_file_paths, 'dest2')
File.file?('dest2/src2.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest2/src2.dat') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • noop: true - does not copy files.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp('src1.txt', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp(src_file_paths, 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp src0.txt dest0.txt
    cp src1.txt dest1
    cp src2.txt src2.dat dest2
    

Raises an exception if src is a directory.

FileUtils.copy is an alias for FileUtils.cp.

Related: methods for copying.

Creates hard links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, creates links dest and descendents pointing to src and its descendents:

tree('src0')
# => src0
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
File.exist?('dest0') # => false
FileUtils.cp_lr('src0', 'dest0')
tree('dest0')
# => dest0
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

If src and dest are both paths to directories, creates links dest/src and descendents pointing to src and its descendents:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp_lr('src1', 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    `-- src1
#        |-- sub0
#        |   |-- src0.txt
#        |   `-- src1.txt
#        `-- sub1
#            |-- src2.txt
#            `-- src3.txt

If src is an array of paths to entries and dest is the path to a directory, for each path filepath in src, creates a link at dest/filepath pointing to that path:

tree('src2')
# => src2
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest2')
FileUtils.cp_lr(['src2/sub0', 'src2/sub1'], 'dest2')
tree('dest2')
# => dest2
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not dereference it.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before creating links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp_lr('src0', 'dest0', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_lr('src1', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_lr(['src2/sub0', 'src2/sub1'], 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp -lr src0 dest0
    cp -lr src1 dest1
    cp -lr src2/sub0 src2/sub1 dest2

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file or directory and keyword argument remove_destination: true is not given.

Related: methods for copying.

Recursively copies files.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

The mode, owner, and group are retained in the copy; to change those, use FileUtils.install instead.

If src is the path to a file and dest is not the path to a directory, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.cp_r('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a file and dest is the path to a directory, copies src to dest/src:

FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp_r('src1.txt', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/src1.txt') # => true

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, recursively copies src to dest:

tree('src2')
# => src2
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.exist?('dest2') # => false
FileUtils.cp_r('src2', 'dest2')
tree('dest2')
# => dest2
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt

If src and dest are paths to directories, recursively copies src to dest/src:

tree('src3')
# => src3
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest3')
FileUtils.cp_r('src3', 'dest3')
tree('dest3')
# => dest3
#    `-- src3
#      |-- dir0
#      |   |-- src0.txt
#      |   `-- src1.txt
#      `-- dir1
#          |-- src2.txt
#          `-- src3.txt

If src is an array of paths and dest is a directory, recursively copies from each path in src to dest; the paths in src may point to files and/or directories.

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not dereference it.

  • noop: true - does not copy files.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp_r('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src1.txt', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src2', 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src3', 'dest3', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp -r src0.txt dest0.txt
    cp -r src1.txt dest1
    cp -r src2 dest2
    cp -r src3 dest3

Raises an exception of src is the path to a directory and dest is the path to a file.

Related: methods for copying.

An alias for pwd

Returns true if method mid accepts the given option opt, false otherwise; the arguments may be strings or symbols:

FileUtils.have_option?(:chmod, :noop) # => true
FileUtils.have_option?('chmod', 'secure') # => false
An alias for compare_file

Copies a file entry. See install(1).

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths;

If the entry at dest does not exist, copies from src to dest:

File.read('src0.txt')    # => "aaa\n"
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.install('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.read('dest0.txt')   # => "aaa\n"

If dest is a file entry, copies from src to dest, overwriting:

File.read('src1.txt')  # => "aaa\n"
File.read('dest1.txt') # => "bbb\n"
FileUtils.install('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt')
File.read('dest1.txt') # => "aaa\n"

If dest is a directory entry, copies from src to dest/src, overwriting if necessary:

File.read('src2.txt')       # => "aaa\n"
File.read('dest2/src2.txt') # => "bbb\n"
FileUtils.install('src2.txt', 'dest2')
File.read('dest2/src2.txt') # => "aaa\n"

If src is an array of paths and dest points to a directory, copies each path path in src to dest/path:

File.file?('src3.txt') # => true
File.file?('src3.dat') # => true
FileUtils.mkdir('dest3')
FileUtils.install(['src3.txt', 'src3.dat'], 'dest3')
File.file?('dest3/src3.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest3/src3.dat') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • group: group - changes the group if not nil, using File.chown.

  • mode: permissions - changes the permissions. using File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not copy entries; returns nil.

  • owner: owner - changes the owner if not nil, using File.chown.

  • preserve: true - preserve timestamps using File.utime.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.install('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.install('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.install('src2.txt', 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    install -c src0.txt dest0.txt
    install -c src1.txt dest1.txt
    install -c src2.txt dest2

Related: methods for copying.

Creates hard links; returns nil.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file and dest does not exist, creates a hard link at dest pointing to src:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.link_entry('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, recursively creates hard links at dest pointing to paths in src:

FileUtils.mkdir_p(['src1/dir0', 'src1/dir1'])
src_file_paths = [
  'src1/dir0/t0.txt',
  'src1/dir0/t1.txt',
  'src1/dir1/t2.txt',
  'src1/dir1/t3.txt',
  ]
FileUtils.touch(src_file_paths)
File.directory?('dest1')        # => true
FileUtils.link_entry('src1', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/dir0/t0.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir0/t1.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir1/t2.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir1/t3.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: true - dereferences src if it is a symbolic link.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before creating links.

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file or directory and keyword argument remove_destination: true is not given.

Related: FileUtils.ln (has different options).

Creates hard links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

When src is the path to an existing file and dest is the path to a non-existent file, creates a hard link at dest pointing to src; returns zero:

Dir.children('tmp0/')                    # => ["t.txt"]
Dir.children('tmp1/')                    # => []
FileUtils.ln('tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp1/t.lnk') # => 0
Dir.children('tmp1/')                    # => ["t.lnk"]

When src is the path to an existing file and dest is the path to an existing directory, creates a hard link at dest/src pointing to src; returns zero:

Dir.children('tmp2')               # => ["t.dat"]
Dir.children('tmp3')               # => []
FileUtils.ln('tmp2/t.dat', 'tmp3') # => 0
Dir.children('tmp3')               # => ["t.dat"]

When src is an array of paths to existing files and dest is the path to an existing directory, then for each path target in src, creates a hard link at dest/target pointing to target; returns src:

Dir.children('tmp4/')                               # => []
FileUtils.ln(['tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp2/t.dat'], 'tmp4/') # => ["tmp0/t.txt", "tmp2/t.dat"]
Dir.children('tmp4/')                               # => ["t.dat", "t.txt"]

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - overwrites dest if it exists.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.ln('tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp1/t.lnk', verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln('tmp2/t.dat', 'tmp3', verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln(['tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp2/t.dat'], 'tmp4/', verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    ln tmp0/t.txt tmp1/t.lnk
    ln tmp2/t.dat tmp3
    ln tmp0/t.txt tmp2/t.dat tmp4/

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file and keyword argument force is not true.

FileUtils#link is an alias for FileUtils#ln.

Related: FileUtils.link_entry (has different options).

Creates symbolic links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to an existing file:

  • When dest is the path to a non-existent file, creates a symbolic link at dest pointing to src:

    FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
    File.exist?('dest0.txt')   # => false
    FileUtils.ln_s('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
    File.symlink?('dest0.txt') # => true
    
  • When dest is the path to an existing file, creates a symbolic link at dest pointing to src if and only if keyword argument force: true is given (raises an exception otherwise):

    FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
    FileUtils.touch('dest1.txt')
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt', force: true)
    FileTest.symlink?('dest1.txt') # => true
    
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt') # Raises Errno::EEXIST.
    

If dest is the path to a directory, creates a symbolic link at dest/src pointing to src:

FileUtils.touch('src2.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('destdir2')
FileUtils.ln_s('src2.txt', 'destdir2')
File.symlink?('destdir2/src2.txt') # => true

If src is an array of paths to existing files and dest is a directory, for each child child in src creates a symbolic link dest/child pointing to child:

FileUtils.mkdir('srcdir3')
FileUtils.touch('srcdir3/src0.txt')
FileUtils.touch('srcdir3/src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('destdir3')
FileUtils.ln_s(['srcdir3/src0.txt', 'srcdir3/src1.txt'], 'destdir3')
File.symlink?('destdir3/src0.txt') # => true
File.symlink?('destdir3/src1.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - overwrites dest if it exists.

  • relative: false - create links relative to dest.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.ln_s('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'destdir1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s('src2.txt', 'dest2.txt', force: true, noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s(['srcdir3/src0.txt', 'srcdir3/src1.txt'], 'destdir3', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    ln -s src0.txt dest0.txt
    ln -s src1.txt destdir1
    ln -sf src2.txt dest2.txt
    ln -s srcdir3/src0.txt srcdir3/src1.txt destdir3

FileUtils.symlink is an alias for FileUtils.ln_s.

Related: FileUtils.ln_sf.

Like FileUtils.ln_s, but always with keyword argument force: true given.

Like FileUtils.ln_s, but create links relative to dest.

Creates directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, creates a directory at each path in list by calling: Dir.mkdir(path, mode); see Dir.mkdir:

FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp0 tmp1]) # => ["tmp0", "tmp1"]
FileUtils.mkdir('tmp4')        # => ["tmp4"]

Keyword arguments:

  • mode: mode - also calls File.chmod(mode, path); see File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not create directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp0 tmp1], verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp2 tmp3], mode: 0700, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mkdir tmp0 tmp1
    mkdir -m 700 tmp2 tmp3

Raises an exception if any path points to an existing file or directory, or if for any reason a directory cannot be created.

Related: FileUtils.mkdir_p.

Creates directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths), also creating ancestor directories as needed; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, creates a directory at each path in list, along with any needed ancestor directories, by calling: Dir.mkdir(path, mode); see Dir.mkdir:

FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3]) # => ["tmp0/tmp1", "tmp2/tmp3"]
FileUtils.mkdir_p('tmp4/tmp5')             # => ["tmp4/tmp5"]

Keyword arguments:

  • mode: mode - also calls File.chmod(mode, path); see File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not create directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp0 tmp1], verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp2 tmp3], mode: 0700, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mkdir -p tmp0 tmp1
    mkdir -p -m 700 tmp2 tmp3

Raises an exception if for any reason a directory cannot be created.

FileUtils.mkpath and FileUtils.makedirs are aliases for FileUtils.mkdir_p.

Related: FileUtils.mkdir.

Moves entries.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src and dest are on different file systems, first copies, then removes src.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

If src is the path to a single file or directory and dest does not exist, moves src to dest:

tree('src0')
# => src0
#    |-- src0.txt
#    `-- src1.txt
File.exist?('dest0') # => false
FileUtils.mv('src0', 'dest0')
File.exist?('src0')  # => false
tree('dest0')
# => dest0
#    |-- src0.txt
#    `-- src1.txt

If src is an array of paths to files and directories and dest is the path to a directory, copies from each path in the array to dest:

File.file?('src1.txt') # => true
tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- src.dat
#    `-- src.txt
Dir.empty?('dest1')    # => true
FileUtils.mv(['src1.txt', 'src1'], 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    |-- src1
#    |   |-- src.dat
#    |   `-- src.txt
#    `-- src1.txt

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - if the move includes removing src (that is, if src and dest are on different file systems), ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not move files.

  • secure: true - removes src securely; see details at FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mv('src0', 'dest0', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mv(['src1.txt', 'src1'], 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mv src0 dest0
    mv src1.txt src1 dest1
    

FileUtils.move is an alias for FileUtils.mv.

Returns an array of the string keyword names:

FileUtils.options.take(3) # => ["noop", "verbose", "force"]

Returns an array of the string keyword name for method mid; the argument may be a string or a symbol:

FileUtils.options_of(:rm) # => ["force", "noop", "verbose"]
FileUtils.options_of('mv') # => ["force", "noop", "verbose", "secure"]

Returns a string containing the path to the current directory:

FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc/fileutils"

FileUtils.getwd is an alias for FileUtils.pwd.

Related: FileUtils.cd.

Recursively removes the directory entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes the entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

Securely removes the entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Avoids a local vulnerability that can exist in certain circumstances; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes the file entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file or a symbolic link.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes entries at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths) returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, removes files at the paths given in list:

FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
FileUtils.rm(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt']) # => ["src0.dat", "src0.txt"]

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not remove files; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rm(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rm src0.dat src0.txt
    

FileUtils.remove is an alias for FileUtils.rm.

Related: methods for deleting.

Equivalent to:

FileUtils.rm(list, force: true, **kwargs)

Argument list (a single path or an array of paths) should be interpretable as paths.

See FileUtils.rm for keyword arguments.

FileUtils.safe_unlink is an alias for FileUtils.rm_f.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes entries at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

For each file path, removes the file at that path:

FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
FileUtils.rm_r(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'])
File.exist?('src0.txt') # => false
File.exist?('src0.dat') # => false

For each directory path, recursively removes files and directories:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.rm_r('src1')
File.exist?('src1') # => false

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not remove entries; returns nil.

  • secure: true - removes src securely; see details at FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rm_r(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.rm_r('src1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rm -r src0.dat src0.txt
    rm -r src1

Related: methods for deleting.

Equivalent to:

FileUtils.rm_r(list, force: true, **kwargs)

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

See FileUtils.rm_r for keyword arguments.

FileUtils.rmtree is an alias for FileUtils.rm_rf.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, removes the directory at each path in list, by calling: Dir.rmdir(path); see Dir.rmdir:

FileUtils.rmdir(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3]) # => ["tmp0/tmp1", "tmp2/tmp3"]
FileUtils.rmdir('tmp4/tmp5')             # => ["tmp4/tmp5"]

Keyword arguments:

  • parents: true - removes successive ancestor directories if empty.

  • noop: true - does not remove directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rmdir(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3], parents: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.rmdir('tmp4/tmp5', parents: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rmdir -p tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3
    rmdir -p tmp4/tmp5

Raises an exception if a directory does not exist or if for any reason a directory cannot be removed.

Related: methods for deleting.

Updates modification times (mtime) and access times (atime) of the entries given by the paths in list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

By default, creates an empty file for any path to a non-existent entry; use keyword argument nocreate to raise an exception instead.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

Examples:

# Single path.
f = File.new('src0.txt') # Existing file.
f.atime # => 2022-06-10 11:11:21.200277 -0700
f.mtime # => 2022-06-10 11:11:21.200277 -0700
FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
f = File.new('src0.txt')
f.atime # => 2022-06-11 08:28:09.8185343 -0700
f.mtime # => 2022-06-11 08:28:09.8185343 -0700

# Array of paths.
FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])

Keyword arguments:

  • mtime: time - sets the entry’s mtime to the given time, instead of the current time.

  • nocreate: true - raises an exception if the entry does not exist.

  • noop: true - does not touch entries; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.touch('src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.touch(path, noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    touch src0.txt
    touch src0.txt src0.dat
    touch src0.txt
    

Related: FileUtils.uptodate?.

Returns true if the file at path new is newer than all the files at paths in array old_list; false otherwise.

Argument new and the elements of old_list should be interpretable as paths:

FileUtils.uptodate?('Rakefile', ['Gemfile', 'README.md']) # => true
FileUtils.uptodate?('Gemfile', ['Rakefile', 'README.md']) # => false

A non-existent file is considered to be infinitely old.

Related: FileUtils.touch.

Instance Methods

Changes the working directory to the given dir, which should be interpretable as a path:

With no block given, changes the current directory to the directory at dir; returns zero:

FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc/fileutils"
FileUtils.cd('..')
FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc"
FileUtils.cd('fileutils')

With a block given, changes the current directory to the directory at dir, calls the block with argument dir, and restores the original current directory; returns the block’s value:

FileUtils.pwd                                     # => "/rdoc/fileutils"
FileUtils.cd('..') { |arg| [arg, FileUtils.pwd] } # => ["..", "/rdoc"]
FileUtils.pwd                                     # => "/rdoc/fileutils"

Keyword arguments:

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cd('..')
    FileUtils.cd('fileutils')
    

    Output:

    cd ..
    cd fileutils

FileUtils.chdir is an alias for FileUtils.cd.

Related: FileUtils.pwd.

An alias for cd

Changes permissions on the entries at the paths given in list (a single path or an array of paths) to the permissions given by mode; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise:

  • Modifies each entry that is a regular file using File.chmod.

  • Modifies each entry that is a symbolic link using File.lchmod.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

Argument mode may be either an integer or a string:

  • Integer mode: represents the permission bits to be set:

    FileUtils.chmod(0755, 'src0.txt')
    FileUtils.chmod(0644, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
    
  • String mode: represents the permissions to be set:

    The string is of the form [targets][[operator][perms[,perms]], where:

    • targets may be any combination of these letters:

      • 'u': permissions apply to the file’s owner.

      • 'g': permissions apply to users in the file’s group.

      • 'o': permissions apply to other users not in the file’s group.

      • 'a' (the default): permissions apply to all users.

    • operator may be one of these letters:

      • '+': adds permissions.

      • '-': removes permissions.

      • '=': sets (replaces) permissions.

    • perms (may be repeated, with separating commas) may be any combination of these letters:

      • 'r': Read.

      • 'w': Write.

      • 'x': Execute (search, for a directory).

      • 'X': Search (for a directories only; must be used with '+')

      • 's': Uid or gid.

      • 't': Sticky bit.

    Examples:

    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', 'src1.txt')
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', '/usr/bin/ruby')
    

Keyword arguments:

  • noop: true - does not change permissions; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.chmod(0755, 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod(0644, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', 'src1.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chmod('u=wrx,go=rx', '/usr/bin/ruby', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    chmod 755 src0.txt
    chmod 644 src0.txt src0.dat
    chmod u=wrx,go=rx src1.txt
    chmod u=wrx,go=rx /usr/bin/ruby

Related: FileUtils.chmod_R.

Like FileUtils.chmod, but changes permissions recursively.

Changes the owner and group on the entries at the paths given in list (a single path or an array of paths) to the given user and group; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise:

  • Modifies each entry that is a regular file using File.chown.

  • Modifies each entry that is a symbolic link using File.lchown.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

User and group:

  • Argument user may be a user name or a user id; if nil or -1, the user is not changed.

  • Argument group may be a group name or a group id; if nil or -1, the group is not changed.

  • The user must be a member of the group.

Examples:

# One path.
# User and group as string names.
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1004
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1004
FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', 'src0.txt')
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1006
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1005

# User and group as uid and gid.
FileUtils.chown(1004, 1004, 'src0.txt')
File.stat('src0.txt').uid # => 1004
File.stat('src0.txt').gid # => 1004

# Array of paths.
FileUtils.chown(1006, 1005, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])

# Directory (not recursive).
FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', '.')

Keyword arguments:

  • noop: true - does not change permissions; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown(1004, 1004, 'src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown(1006, 1005, ['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', path, noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.chown('user2', 'group1', '.', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    chown user2:group1 src0.txt
    chown 1004:1004 src0.txt
    chown 1006:1005 src0.txt src0.dat
    chown user2:group1 src0.txt
    chown user2:group1 .

Related: FileUtils.chown_R.

Like FileUtils.chown, but changes owner and group recursively.

An alias for compare_file

Returns true if the contents of files a and b are identical, false otherwise.

Arguments a and b should be interpretable as a path.

FileUtils.identical? and FileUtils.cmp are aliases for FileUtils.compare_file.

Related: FileUtils.compare_stream.

Returns true if the contents of streams a and b are identical, false otherwise.

Arguments a and b should be interpretable as a path.

Related: FileUtils.compare_file.

Recursively copies files from src to dest.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.copy_entry('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is a directory, recursively copies src to dest:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.copy_entry('src1', 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

The recursive copying preserves file types for regular files, directories, and symbolic links; other file types (FIFO streams, device files, etc.) are not supported.

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: true - if src is a symbolic link, follows the link.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies file from src to dest, which should not be directories.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

Examples:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
FileUtils.copy_file('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not follow the link.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies IO stream src to IO stream dest via IO.copy_stream.

Related: methods for copying.

Copies files.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file and dest is not the path to a directory, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.cp('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a file and dest is the path to a directory, copies src to dest/src:

FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp('src1.txt', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/src1.txt') # => true

If src is an array of paths to files and dest is the path to a directory, copies from each src to dest:

src_file_paths = ['src2.txt', 'src2.dat']
FileUtils.touch(src_file_paths)
FileUtils.mkdir('dest2')
FileUtils.cp(src_file_paths, 'dest2')
File.file?('dest2/src2.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest2/src2.dat') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • noop: true - does not copy files.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp('src1.txt', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp(src_file_paths, 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp src0.txt dest0.txt
    cp src1.txt dest1
    cp src2.txt src2.dat dest2
    

Raises an exception if src is a directory.

FileUtils.copy is an alias for FileUtils.cp.

Related: methods for copying.

Creates hard links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, creates links dest and descendents pointing to src and its descendents:

tree('src0')
# => src0
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
File.exist?('dest0') # => false
FileUtils.cp_lr('src0', 'dest0')
tree('dest0')
# => dest0
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

If src and dest are both paths to directories, creates links dest/src and descendents pointing to src and its descendents:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp_lr('src1', 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    `-- src1
#        |-- sub0
#        |   |-- src0.txt
#        |   `-- src1.txt
#        `-- sub1
#            |-- src2.txt
#            `-- src3.txt

If src is an array of paths to entries and dest is the path to a directory, for each path filepath in src, creates a link at dest/filepath pointing to that path:

tree('src2')
# => src2
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest2')
FileUtils.cp_lr(['src2/sub0', 'src2/sub1'], 'dest2')
tree('dest2')
# => dest2
#    |-- sub0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- sub1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not dereference it.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before creating links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp_lr('src0', 'dest0', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_lr('src1', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_lr(['src2/sub0', 'src2/sub1'], 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp -lr src0 dest0
    cp -lr src1 dest1
    cp -lr src2/sub0 src2/sub1 dest2

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file or directory and keyword argument remove_destination: true is not given.

Related: methods for copying.

Recursively copies files.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

The mode, owner, and group are retained in the copy; to change those, use FileUtils.install instead.

If src is the path to a file and dest is not the path to a directory, copies src to dest:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.cp_r('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a file and dest is the path to a directory, copies src to dest/src:

FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('dest1')
FileUtils.cp_r('src1.txt', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/src1.txt') # => true

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, recursively copies src to dest:

tree('src2')
# => src2
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.exist?('dest2') # => false
FileUtils.cp_r('src2', 'dest2')
tree('dest2')
# => dest2
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt

If src and dest are paths to directories, recursively copies src to dest/src:

tree('src3')
# => src3
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#    |-- src2.txt
#    `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.mkdir('dest3')
FileUtils.cp_r('src3', 'dest3')
tree('dest3')
# => dest3
#    `-- src3
#      |-- dir0
#      |   |-- src0.txt
#      |   `-- src1.txt
#      `-- dir1
#          |-- src2.txt
#          `-- src3.txt

If src is an array of paths and dest is a directory, recursively copies from each path in src to dest; the paths in src may point to files and/or directories.

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: false - if src is a symbolic link, does not dereference it.

  • noop: true - does not copy files.

  • preserve: true - preserves file times.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before copying files.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.cp_r('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src1.txt', 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src2', 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.cp_r('src3', 'dest3', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    cp -r src0.txt dest0.txt
    cp -r src1.txt dest1
    cp -r src2 dest2
    cp -r src3 dest3

Raises an exception of src is the path to a directory and dest is the path to a file.

Related: methods for copying.

No documentation available
No documentation available
No documentation available
An alias for pwd
An alias for compare_file

Copies a file entry. See install(1).

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths;

If the entry at dest does not exist, copies from src to dest:

File.read('src0.txt')    # => "aaa\n"
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.install('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.read('dest0.txt')   # => "aaa\n"

If dest is a file entry, copies from src to dest, overwriting:

File.read('src1.txt')  # => "aaa\n"
File.read('dest1.txt') # => "bbb\n"
FileUtils.install('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt')
File.read('dest1.txt') # => "aaa\n"

If dest is a directory entry, copies from src to dest/src, overwriting if necessary:

File.read('src2.txt')       # => "aaa\n"
File.read('dest2/src2.txt') # => "bbb\n"
FileUtils.install('src2.txt', 'dest2')
File.read('dest2/src2.txt') # => "aaa\n"

If src is an array of paths and dest points to a directory, copies each path path in src to dest/path:

File.file?('src3.txt') # => true
File.file?('src3.dat') # => true
FileUtils.mkdir('dest3')
FileUtils.install(['src3.txt', 'src3.dat'], 'dest3')
File.file?('dest3/src3.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest3/src3.dat') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • group: group - changes the group if not nil, using File.chown.

  • mode: permissions - changes the permissions. using File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not copy entries; returns nil.

  • owner: owner - changes the owner if not nil, using File.chown.

  • preserve: true - preserve timestamps using File.utime.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.install('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.install('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.install('src2.txt', 'dest2', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    install -c src0.txt dest0.txt
    install -c src1.txt dest1.txt
    install -c src2.txt dest2

Related: methods for copying.

Creates hard links; returns nil.

Arguments src and dest should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to a file and dest does not exist, creates a hard link at dest pointing to src:

FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
File.exist?('dest0.txt') # => false
FileUtils.link_entry('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
File.file?('dest0.txt')  # => true

If src is the path to a directory and dest does not exist, recursively creates hard links at dest pointing to paths in src:

FileUtils.mkdir_p(['src1/dir0', 'src1/dir1'])
src_file_paths = [
  'src1/dir0/t0.txt',
  'src1/dir0/t1.txt',
  'src1/dir1/t2.txt',
  'src1/dir1/t3.txt',
  ]
FileUtils.touch(src_file_paths)
File.directory?('dest1')        # => true
FileUtils.link_entry('src1', 'dest1')
File.file?('dest1/dir0/t0.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir0/t1.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir1/t2.txt') # => true
File.file?('dest1/dir1/t3.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • dereference_root: true - dereferences src if it is a symbolic link.

  • remove_destination: true - removes dest before creating links.

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file or directory and keyword argument remove_destination: true is not given.

Related: FileUtils.ln (has different options).

Creates hard links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

When src is the path to an existing file and dest is the path to a non-existent file, creates a hard link at dest pointing to src; returns zero:

Dir.children('tmp0/')                    # => ["t.txt"]
Dir.children('tmp1/')                    # => []
FileUtils.ln('tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp1/t.lnk') # => 0
Dir.children('tmp1/')                    # => ["t.lnk"]

When src is the path to an existing file and dest is the path to an existing directory, creates a hard link at dest/src pointing to src; returns zero:

Dir.children('tmp2')               # => ["t.dat"]
Dir.children('tmp3')               # => []
FileUtils.ln('tmp2/t.dat', 'tmp3') # => 0
Dir.children('tmp3')               # => ["t.dat"]

When src is an array of paths to existing files and dest is the path to an existing directory, then for each path target in src, creates a hard link at dest/target pointing to target; returns src:

Dir.children('tmp4/')                               # => []
FileUtils.ln(['tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp2/t.dat'], 'tmp4/') # => ["tmp0/t.txt", "tmp2/t.dat"]
Dir.children('tmp4/')                               # => ["t.dat", "t.txt"]

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - overwrites dest if it exists.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.ln('tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp1/t.lnk', verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln('tmp2/t.dat', 'tmp3', verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln(['tmp0/t.txt', 'tmp2/t.dat'], 'tmp4/', verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    ln tmp0/t.txt tmp1/t.lnk
    ln tmp2/t.dat tmp3
    ln tmp0/t.txt tmp2/t.dat tmp4/

Raises an exception if dest is the path to an existing file and keyword argument force is not true.

FileUtils#link is an alias for FileUtils#ln.

Related: FileUtils.link_entry (has different options).

Creates symbolic links.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src is the path to an existing file:

  • When dest is the path to a non-existent file, creates a symbolic link at dest pointing to src:

    FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
    File.exist?('dest0.txt')   # => false
    FileUtils.ln_s('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt')
    File.symlink?('dest0.txt') # => true
    
  • When dest is the path to an existing file, creates a symbolic link at dest pointing to src if and only if keyword argument force: true is given (raises an exception otherwise):

    FileUtils.touch('src1.txt')
    FileUtils.touch('dest1.txt')
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt', force: true)
    FileTest.symlink?('dest1.txt') # => true
    
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'dest1.txt') # Raises Errno::EEXIST.
    

If dest is the path to a directory, creates a symbolic link at dest/src pointing to src:

FileUtils.touch('src2.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('destdir2')
FileUtils.ln_s('src2.txt', 'destdir2')
File.symlink?('destdir2/src2.txt') # => true

If src is an array of paths to existing files and dest is a directory, for each child child in src creates a symbolic link dest/child pointing to child:

FileUtils.mkdir('srcdir3')
FileUtils.touch('srcdir3/src0.txt')
FileUtils.touch('srcdir3/src1.txt')
FileUtils.mkdir('destdir3')
FileUtils.ln_s(['srcdir3/src0.txt', 'srcdir3/src1.txt'], 'destdir3')
File.symlink?('destdir3/src0.txt') # => true
File.symlink?('destdir3/src1.txt') # => true

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - overwrites dest if it exists.

  • relative: false - create links relative to dest.

  • noop: true - does not create links.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.ln_s('src0.txt', 'dest0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s('src1.txt', 'destdir1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s('src2.txt', 'dest2.txt', force: true, noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.ln_s(['srcdir3/src0.txt', 'srcdir3/src1.txt'], 'destdir3', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    ln -s src0.txt dest0.txt
    ln -s src1.txt destdir1
    ln -sf src2.txt dest2.txt
    ln -s srcdir3/src0.txt srcdir3/src1.txt destdir3

FileUtils.symlink is an alias for FileUtils.ln_s.

Related: FileUtils.ln_sf.

Like FileUtils.ln_s, but always with keyword argument force: true given.

Like FileUtils.ln_s, but create links relative to dest.

Creates directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, creates a directory at each path in list by calling: Dir.mkdir(path, mode); see Dir.mkdir:

FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp0 tmp1]) # => ["tmp0", "tmp1"]
FileUtils.mkdir('tmp4')        # => ["tmp4"]

Keyword arguments:

  • mode: mode - also calls File.chmod(mode, path); see File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not create directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp0 tmp1], verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mkdir(%w[tmp2 tmp3], mode: 0700, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mkdir tmp0 tmp1
    mkdir -m 700 tmp2 tmp3

Raises an exception if any path points to an existing file or directory, or if for any reason a directory cannot be created.

Related: FileUtils.mkdir_p.

Creates directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths), also creating ancestor directories as needed; returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, creates a directory at each path in list, along with any needed ancestor directories, by calling: Dir.mkdir(path, mode); see Dir.mkdir:

FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3]) # => ["tmp0/tmp1", "tmp2/tmp3"]
FileUtils.mkdir_p('tmp4/tmp5')             # => ["tmp4/tmp5"]

Keyword arguments:

  • mode: mode - also calls File.chmod(mode, path); see File.chmod.

  • noop: true - does not create directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp0 tmp1], verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mkdir_p(%w[tmp2 tmp3], mode: 0700, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mkdir -p tmp0 tmp1
    mkdir -p -m 700 tmp2 tmp3

Raises an exception if for any reason a directory cannot be created.

FileUtils.mkpath and FileUtils.makedirs are aliases for FileUtils.mkdir_p.

Related: FileUtils.mkdir.

Moves entries.

Arguments src (a single path or an array of paths) and dest (a single path) should be interpretable as paths.

If src and dest are on different file systems, first copies, then removes src.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

If src is the path to a single file or directory and dest does not exist, moves src to dest:

tree('src0')
# => src0
#    |-- src0.txt
#    `-- src1.txt
File.exist?('dest0') # => false
FileUtils.mv('src0', 'dest0')
File.exist?('src0')  # => false
tree('dest0')
# => dest0
#    |-- src0.txt
#    `-- src1.txt

If src is an array of paths to files and directories and dest is the path to a directory, copies from each path in the array to dest:

File.file?('src1.txt') # => true
tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- src.dat
#    `-- src.txt
Dir.empty?('dest1')    # => true
FileUtils.mv(['src1.txt', 'src1'], 'dest1')
tree('dest1')
# => dest1
#    |-- src1
#    |   |-- src.dat
#    |   `-- src.txt
#    `-- src1.txt

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - if the move includes removing src (that is, if src and dest are on different file systems), ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not move files.

  • secure: true - removes src securely; see details at FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.mv('src0', 'dest0', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.mv(['src1.txt', 'src1'], 'dest1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    mv src0 dest0
    mv src1.txt src1 dest1
    

FileUtils.move is an alias for FileUtils.mv.

Returns a string containing the path to the current directory:

FileUtils.pwd # => "/rdoc/fileutils"

FileUtils.getwd is an alias for FileUtils.pwd.

Related: FileUtils.cd.

Recursively removes the directory entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes the entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

Securely removes the entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file, a symbolic link, or a directory.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Avoids a local vulnerability that can exist in certain circumstances; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes the file entry given by path, which should be the entry for a regular file or a symbolic link.

Argument path should be interpretable as a path.

Optional argument force specifies whether to ignore raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes entries at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths) returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, removes files at the paths given in list:

FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
FileUtils.rm(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt']) # => ["src0.dat", "src0.txt"]

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not remove files; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rm(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rm src0.dat src0.txt
    

FileUtils.remove is an alias for FileUtils.rm.

Related: methods for deleting.

Equivalent to:

FileUtils.rm(list, force: true, **kwargs)

Argument list (a single path or an array of paths) should be interpretable as paths.

See FileUtils.rm for keyword arguments.

FileUtils.safe_unlink is an alias for FileUtils.rm_f.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes entries at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

For each file path, removes the file at that path:

FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])
FileUtils.rm_r(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'])
File.exist?('src0.txt') # => false
File.exist?('src0.dat') # => false

For each directory path, recursively removes files and directories:

tree('src1')
# => src1
#    |-- dir0
#    |   |-- src0.txt
#    |   `-- src1.txt
#    `-- dir1
#        |-- src2.txt
#        `-- src3.txt
FileUtils.rm_r('src1')
File.exist?('src1') # => false

Keyword arguments:

  • force: true - ignores raised exceptions of StandardError and its descendants.

  • noop: true - does not remove entries; returns nil.

  • secure: true - removes src securely; see details at FileUtils.remove_entry_secure.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rm_r(['src0.dat', 'src0.txt'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.rm_r('src1', noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rm -r src0.dat src0.txt
    rm -r src1

Related: methods for deleting.

Equivalent to:

FileUtils.rm_r(list, force: true, **kwargs)

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

May cause a local vulnerability if not called with keyword argument secure: true; see Avoiding the TOCTTOU Vulnerability.

See FileUtils.rm_r for keyword arguments.

FileUtils.rmtree is an alias for FileUtils.rm_rf.

Related: methods for deleting.

Removes directories at the paths in the given list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list, if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

With no keyword arguments, removes the directory at each path in list, by calling: Dir.rmdir(path); see Dir.rmdir:

FileUtils.rmdir(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3]) # => ["tmp0/tmp1", "tmp2/tmp3"]
FileUtils.rmdir('tmp4/tmp5')             # => ["tmp4/tmp5"]

Keyword arguments:

  • parents: true - removes successive ancestor directories if empty.

  • noop: true - does not remove directories.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.rmdir(%w[tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3], parents: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.rmdir('tmp4/tmp5', parents: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    rmdir -p tmp0/tmp1 tmp2/tmp3
    rmdir -p tmp4/tmp5

Raises an exception if a directory does not exist or if for any reason a directory cannot be removed.

Related: methods for deleting.

Updates modification times (mtime) and access times (atime) of the entries given by the paths in list (a single path or an array of paths); returns list if it is an array, [list] otherwise.

By default, creates an empty file for any path to a non-existent entry; use keyword argument nocreate to raise an exception instead.

Argument list or its elements should be interpretable as paths.

Examples:

# Single path.
f = File.new('src0.txt') # Existing file.
f.atime # => 2022-06-10 11:11:21.200277 -0700
f.mtime # => 2022-06-10 11:11:21.200277 -0700
FileUtils.touch('src0.txt')
f = File.new('src0.txt')
f.atime # => 2022-06-11 08:28:09.8185343 -0700
f.mtime # => 2022-06-11 08:28:09.8185343 -0700

# Array of paths.
FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'])

Keyword arguments:

  • mtime: time - sets the entry’s mtime to the given time, instead of the current time.

  • nocreate: true - raises an exception if the entry does not exist.

  • noop: true - does not touch entries; returns nil.

  • verbose: true - prints an equivalent command:

    FileUtils.touch('src0.txt', noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.touch(['src0.txt', 'src0.dat'], noop: true, verbose: true)
    FileUtils.touch(path, noop: true, verbose: true)
    

    Output:

    touch src0.txt
    touch src0.txt src0.dat
    touch src0.txt
    

Related: FileUtils.uptodate?.

Returns true if the file at path new is newer than all the files at paths in array old_list; false otherwise.

Argument new and the elements of old_list should be interpretable as paths:

FileUtils.uptodate?('Rakefile', ['Gemfile', 'README.md']) # => true
FileUtils.uptodate?('Gemfile', ['Rakefile', 'README.md']) # => false

A non-existent file is considered to be infinitely old.

Related: FileUtils.touch.