File setWritable() method in Java with Examples

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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());
        }
    }
}