PrintWriter to append data if file exist

Question

I have a savegame file called mysave.sav and I want to add data to this file if the file already exists. If the file doesn't exists, I want to create the file and then add the data.

Adding data works fine. But appending data overwrites existing data. I followed the instructions of axtavt here (PrintWriter append method not appending).

    String savestr = "mysave.sav"; 
    File f = new File(savestr);
    PrintWriter out = new PrintWriter(savestr);

    if ( f.exists() && !f.isDirectory() ) {
        out = new PrintWriter(new FileOutputStream(new File(savestr), true));
        out.append(mapstring);
        out.close();
    }
    else {
        out.println(mapstring);
        out.close();
    }

where mapstring is the string I want to append. Can you help me? Thank you!

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 22 '17 at 14:55

9

Once you call PrintWriter out = new PrintWriter(savestr); the file is created if doesn't exist hence first check for file existence then initialize it.

As mentioned in it's Constructor Docmentation as well that says:

If the file exists then it will be truncated to zero size; otherwise, a new file will be created.

Since file is created before calling f.exists() hence it will return true always and ìf block is never executed at all.

Sample code:

String savestr = "mysave.sav"; 
File f = new File(savestr);

PrintWriter out = null;
if ( f.exists() && !f.isDirectory() ) {
    out = new PrintWriter(new FileOutputStream(new File(savestr), true));
}
else {
    out = new PrintWriter(savestr);
}
out.append(mapstring);
out.close();

For better resource handling use Java 7 - The try-with-resources Statement

edited Jul 22 '17 at 14:55

alexchet

479
1
5
14

answered Jul 27 '14 at 16:14

Braj

46,415
5
60
76

Thank you, this works if I leave out the first line of the if block (out = new PrinterWriter(savestr)). I don't know if I'm allowed to edit your answer. – TheWaveLad Jul 27 '14 at 16:24
1

@pilky02 by mistake added. you are free to edit it. I am more than happy if you edit it. – Braj Jul 27 '14 at 16:25
1

Thanks for edit. please follow last link that might help you a lot. – Braj Jul 27 '14 at 16:29

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 10 '21 at 12:54

You can also use BufferedWriter:

    System.out.println("Enter text to input:  ");
    String textToAppend = input.nextLine();
 
    //Set true for append mode

    BufferedWriter writer = new BufferedWriter(
    new FileWriter("C:\\folder 1\\filename.txt", true));    

    writer.write(textToAppend);
    writer.close();

PrintWriter to append data if file exist

2 Answers2

Linked

Related