Recover overwritten JAVA file

Question

I was making a jar file but accidentally wrote TimerV1.java instead of TimerV1.jar and as a result, my whole source code got replaced with machine code and the sad thing is there's still something I have to edit.

I am using Notepad++ and tried searching the Roaming directory but there's nothing there.

I also tried decompiling the jar file and editing the exported source files (with JD-GUI) but when I try to compile those source files I get errors that I don't even know how to resolve.

Is there any way to recover the previous versions of my java file?

@SashaSalauyou presumably it is just _after_ a good time to start using git — khelwood, Aug 27 '15 at 13:33
Do you have automatic regular backups set? If not, then you now know why you should. If you have, then recover the latest version from the backup disc/folder/whatever. It probably won't be completely up to date, but it will give you a head start. — rossum, Aug 27 '15 at 13:39
You may want to try a different decompiler. I have had good luck with this one - https://bitbucket.org/mstrobel/procyon/wiki/Java%20Decompiler, there are also links to some other alternatives. But as with the above comments, version control is your friend even for personal projects. — user3745362, Aug 27 '15 at 13:42
@SashaSalauyou to be really honest, I have no idea how to use git. — Friency Fernandez, Aug 27 '15 at 13:48

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 27 '15 at 14:00

2

You can use JAD (Java Decompiler) but.. not all code can be reversed into source.

Try one of:

answered Aug 27 '15 at 14:00

WBAR

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Thanks for these suggestions – Friency Fernandez Aug 27 '15 at 14:03
@FriencyLoriagaFernandez If helped, please accept this answer :) – WBAR Aug 27 '15 at 20:48
I used another decompiler but still thanks. I gave an upvote instead. – Friency Fernandez Aug 28 '15 at 05:19

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 27 '15 at 13:34

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I don't use Notepad++ myself but it seems there is a backup folder where older versions of edited files are kept:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\backup

answered Aug 27 '15 at 13:34

Pierre

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I checked that but it's empty. >_< Thank you anyway. – Friency Fernandez Aug 27 '15 at 13:35

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 27 '15 at 13:55

There are various utilities out there that can recover deleted files, I think because typically they are still there but the OS lists that space as unallocated. But overwritten files...I wish I had a better answer but I don't know if they can be recovered, unless some version was saved somewhere.

If it was a relatively short file, maybe the best thing to do is take this as an painful opportunity to use a backup service like Carbonite or Dropbox, and use version control like Git or SVN.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 27 '15 at 14:59

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Nevermind. I have used another decompiler and debugged one by one. Thanks to those who answered :) I used Cavaj Decompiler.

answered Aug 27 '15 at 14:59

Friency Fernandez

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Recover overwritten JAVA file

4 Answers4