File setWritable() method in Java with Examples

The setWritable() method is a part of File class.The function sets the owner’s or everybody’s permission to Write the abstract pathname. The function is a overloaded function. One function requires two parameters and the other only one.

Function Signature:

public boolean setWritable(boolean a, boolean b)
public boolean setWritable(boolean a)

Function Syntax:

file.setWritable(boolean a, boolean b)
file.setWritable(boolean a)

Parameters: The function is a overloaded function:

• For the first overload:
  • If a true value is passed as the first parameter then it is allowed to Write the abstract pathname, else it is not allowed to Write the file.
  • If a true value is passed as the second parameter then the Write permission applies to the owner only, else it applies to everyone

  Return value: This function returns a boolean value which states whether the operation succeeded or not.

  Exception: This method throws Security Exception if the function is not allowed write access to the file.

  Below programs will illustrate the use of the setWritable() function

  Example 1: We will try to change the setWritable permission of owner of a existing file in f: directory.

  // Java program to demonstrate the
  // use of setWritable() function
  
  import java.io.*;
  
  public class solution {
      public static void main(String args[])
      {
  
          // try catch block to handle exceptions
          try {
  
              // Create a file object
              File f = new File("f:\\program.txt");
  
              // Check if the Writable permission
              // can be set to new value
              if (f.setWritable(true)) {
  
                  // Display that the Writable permission
                  // is be set to new value
                  System.out.println("Writable permission is set");
              }
              else {
  
                  // Display that the Writable permission
                  // cannot be set to new value
                  System.out.println("Writable permission cannot be set");
              }
          }
          catch (Exception e) {
              System.err.println(e.getMessage());
          }
      }
  }

  Output:

  Writable permission is set
  

  Example 2: We will try to change the setWritable permission of everyone of a existing file in f: directory.

  // Java program to demonstrate the
  // use of setWritable() function
  
  import java.io.*;
  
  public class solution {
      public static void main(String args[])
      {
  
          // try-catch block to handle exceptions
          try {
  
              // Create a file object
              File f = new File("f:\\program.txt");
  
              // Check if the Writable permission
              // can be set to new value
              if (f.setWritable(true, false)) {
  
                  // Display that the Writable permission
                  // is be set to new value
                  System.out.println("Writable permission"
                                     + " is set");
              }
              else {
  
                  // Display that the Writable permission
                  // cannot be set to new value
                  System.out.println("Writable permission"
                                     + " cannot be set");
              }
          }
          catch (Exception e) {
              System.err.println(e.getMessage());
          }
      }
  }

  Output:

  Writable permission is set
  

  The programs might not run in an online IDE. please use an offline IDE and set the Parent file of the file