Problem with Java FileReader

Question

Hello I have this in my code

File file = new File("words.txt");
    Scanner scanFile = new Scanner(new FileReader(file));
    ArrayList<String> words = new ArrayList<String>();

    String theWord;    
    while (scanFile.hasNext()){
        theWord = scanFile.next();
        words.add(theWord);
    }

But for some reason I am getting a

java.io.FileNotFoundException

I have the words.txt file in the same folder as all of my .java files

What am I doing wrong? Thanks!

How do you execute the program? From the command-line or from an IDE. Most IDEs have an option to specify the working directory of an application. You would have to put your file there. — Björn Pollex, Jun 07 '11 at 13:50
Is the file already opened elsewhere (including elsewhere in your code without being closed)? The Javadoc for `java.io.FileReader.FileReader( java.io.File )` states that a `FileNotFoundException` is thrown "if the file does not exist, is a directory rather than a regular file, or for some other reason cannot be opened for reading." If you're sure the file exists and that it's a regular file, then there must be some reason it can't be opened. Make sure the file's permissions allow for reading as well. — Mike M, Jun 07 '11 at 13:55

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:50

6

Tip: add this line to your code...

System.out.println(file.getAbsolutePath());

Then compare that path with where your file actually is. The problem should be immediately obvious.

answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:50

Bohemian

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aioobe · Answer 2 · 2011-06-07T15:07:46.467

5

The file should reside in the directory from which you execute the application, i.e. the working directory.

edited Jun 07 '11 at 15:07

answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:50

aioobe

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score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:53

Generally it's a good idea to package data files with your code, but then using java.io.File to read them is a problem, as it's hard to find them. The solution is to use the getResource() methods in java.lang.ClassLoader to open a stream to a file. That way the ClassLoader looks for your files in the location where your code is stored, wherever that may be.

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:54

3

try:

URL url = this.getClass().getResource( "words.txt" );
File file = new File(url.getPath());

answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:54

oliholz

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Or simply `InputStream stream = this.getClass().getResourceAsStream( "words.txt" );` – Ernest Friedman-Hill Jun 07 '11 at 13:54
thank you guys. this helped – Aidos Feb 10 '17 at 13:45

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 13:51

You haven't specified an absolute path. The path would therefore be treated as a path, relative to the current working directory of the process. Usually this is the directory from where you've launched the Main-Class.

If you're unsure about the location of the working directory, you can print it out using the following snippet:

System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.dir"));

Fixing the problem will require adding the necessary directories in the original path, to locate the file.

Problem with Java FileReader

5 Answers5

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