Best way to copy or move files with Objective-C?

Question

I was wondering, is there a best practice to write an OSX programm that copies or moves a file from one place to another?

is there some NSSomething method I can call?
Do I have to work with Input/Output streams?
Or is the best way maybe to just rely on passing commands to the finder?

Bonus question: How do I get percentages a la "copy 12% complete" with one of these methods?

Thanks for your help!

score 58 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 20 '12 at 14:47

58

NSFileManager and NSWorkspace both have methods to move, copy, and delete files. Usually you'd use NSFileManager since its easier to work with:

if ( [[NSFileManager defaultManager] isReadableFileAtPath:source] )
    [[NSFileManager defaultManager] copyItemAtURL:source toURL:destination error:nil];

However, NSWorkspace can easily move files to the Trash, which NSFileManager can't do.

[[NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace] performFileOperation:NSWorkspaceRecycleOperation source:foldername destination:@"" files:filenamesArray tag:&tag];

Check the documentation for a more complete description of the two classes. (NSFileManager, NSWorkspace)

edited Jul 20 '12 at 14:47

Sebastian Hojas

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answered Jan 29 '09 at 14:41

Marc Charbonneau

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`performFileOperation` is deprecated in 10.11 :-( – Klaas Jan 26 '16 at 13:18
To move files to the trash you can still use `recycleURLs` – Klaas Jan 26 '16 at 13:21
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@Klaas What replaces `performFileOperation`? – matt Apr 11 '17 at 22:18
@matt See https://developer.apple.com/reference/appkit/nsworkspace/1530465-recycleurls?language=objc – Klaas Apr 13 '17 at 13:49

score 15 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 20 '14 at 17:48

15

[[NSFileManager defaultManager] copyItemAtPath:srcPath toPath:dstPath error:&error]

Here's the link to the class reference:

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Cocoa/Reference/Foundation/Classes/NSFileManager_Class/Reference/Reference.html#//apple_ref/occ/instm/NSFileManager/copyItemAtPath:toPath:error:

edited Aug 20 '14 at 17:48

mattsven

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answered Jan 29 '09 at 14:42

Ed Marty

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Since the error parameter takes `(NSError **)` type, it may be better to suggest `[[NSFileManager defaultManager] copyItemAtPath:srcPath toPath:dstPath error:&error]` with the & sign. – Makzan Nov 13 '13 at 01:46

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:32

5

You can also use FSCopyObjectAsync function. You can display file copy progress and you can also cancel file copy using FSCopyObjectAsync().
Take a look at this post.

FSCopyObjectAsync is Deprecated in OS X v10.8

copyfile(3) is alternative for FSCopyObjectAsync. Here is example of copyfile(3) with Progress Callback.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:32

Community

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answered May 04 '12 at 10:14

Parag Bafna

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I love that you answered this question almost 3 years after I asked it. It's probably now more correct than the other answers as well. – winsmith May 04 '12 at 14:13
its deprecated though in 10.8. Use the URL copyItemAtURL instead. – Tom Andersen Oct 01 '12 at 19:37
you can use copyfile(3) – Parag Bafna Jan 27 '15 at 04:19

Best way to copy or move files with Objective-C?

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