Get java.nio.file.Path object from java.io.File

A higher-level abstraction: Path

Introduced in Java 7, the Path interface is a more powerful substitute for the File class. Unlike File, Path is more than just a holder for a file or directory pathname – it can represent an actual file or directory in the file system, with support for various file attributes and advanced operations like symbolic links and directory watching.

Using the newer Path methods

Here are examples of how the Paths and Files classes provide an enriched set of file-related operations:

// Looks like someone got an upgrade... pretty handy, huh?
Files.copy(oldFile.toPath(), newPath, StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING);
Files.move(oldFile.toPath(), newPath, StandardCopyOption.ATOMIC_MOVE);
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Advance tip: for smooth interoperability, it's wise to stick with Path methods when dealing with non-default file system providers.

Working with legacy Java 6

If you're stuck with Java 6, you can manually retrieve a Path from a File using the FileSystems.getDefault().getPath() method:

File file = new File("legacy.txt");
Path path = FileSystems.getDefault().getPath(file.getPath());
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Though, consider it as a friendly nudge to upgrade to a later Java version for an enhanced file handling experience.

Navigating conversion issues

Here are some practical cases to guide your File to Path migration:

Symbolic link support

Unlike File, Path was born ready to play with symbolic links:

// Path can be a link whisperer
Files.createSymbolicLink(link, target);

// File needs to switch into stealth mode
boolean isSymbolicLink = Files.isSymbolicLink(file.toPath());
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Exception handling

In our journey from File to Path, exceptions transformed into more rigorous, error-specific types — helping us handle issues like a pro!

try {
    // ... File operation
} catch (NoSuchFileException e) {
    // Sorry, File Not Found error!
} catch (FileSystemException e) {
    // Uh-oh, hit a File System snag!
} catch (IOException e) {
    // General IO hitch!
}
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Leveraging file attributes

Path let's you read or modify file attributes with just a line of code:

// Who said Path couldn't be an attribute artist?
PosixFileAttributes attrs = Files.readAttributes(path, PosixFileAttributes.class);
Files.setPosixFilePermissions(path, PosixFilePermissions.fromString("rw-r--r--"));
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