How to choose file in java? [duplicate]

Question

I need to get file path for my java program during runtime. Is there any way to use default dialog box to choose a single file and get its full path and name?

Its just picking a file and get its path into a String object

Can you please provide the code for it or a tutorial?

PS: Windows OS

Dele

Is it a GUI program that you are looking for? what application are you trying to build? – Gallinule

If you are using swing JFileChooser or FileDialog if you are using javafx, FileChooser. The JFileChooser doc has an example of usage. – Flyover

@shreyas-sarvothama Yes I'm looking for GUI File chooser – Dele

Then as @Flyover suggested, go for JFileChooser... I would recommend you to take a complete Java Tutorial. JavaFx if you are looking for GUI – Gallinule

If you don't have a preference for JavaFx or Swing, go for JavaFx. It is a modern GUI that Oracle actively developes these days (where Swing has not changed in more than 10 years). – Forensics

Thanks for your help guys – Dele

Answer 1

Here is the example from the JFileChooser docs copy pasta with the parent sent to null.

public class PickAFile {
    public static void main(String[] args){
        JFileChooser chooser = new JFileChooser();
        FileNameExtensionFilter filter = new FileNameExtensionFilter(
                "JPG & GIF Images", "jpg", "gif");
        chooser.setFileFilter(filter);
        int returnVal = chooser.showOpenDialog(null);
        if(returnVal == JFileChooser.APPROVE_OPTION) {
            System.out.println("You chose to open this file: " +
                    chooser.getSelectedFile().getName());
        }
    }
}

If you don't like the look of the JFileChooser try the FileDialog.

    FileDialog dialog = new FileDialog((Frame)null, "Select File to Open");
    dialog.setMode(FileDialog.LOAD);
    dialog.setVisible(true);
    String file = dialog.getFile();
    dialog.dispose();
    System.out.println(file + " chosen.");

** The call to dispose is necessary to exit the program if this is an isolated call, or to prevent a memory leak if this is used in a larger application.

Flyover

Thanks a lot. It worked!! – Dele

Is there a way to get the full Path? Figured it out thanks for post. chooser.getSelectedFile().getAbsolutePath()); – Expeller

to add extention filter to FileDialog you can go FileDialog dialog =.... ; dialog.setFile("*.jpg;*.png;*.jpeg"); – Evermore

You need to dispose of the dialog window after using it or the process hangs at termination: dialog.dispose() – Becker

@Becker good catch. If it was a swing JDialog, I would use the setDefaultCloseOperation but the FileDialog is AWT so you're completely correct. – Flyover