Reputation: 387

Java Formatter output

Is it true that the Formatter only writes out when you close the stream?

Code:

public void save(String content, String filename) {
    if(filename!=""){
        setFileName(filename);
        try {
            output = new Formatter(new File(fileName));
            output.format("%s",content);
        } catch (FormatterClosedException ex){
            System.err.println("Error writing to file");
            return;
        } catch ( NoSuchElementException ex){
            System.err.println("invalid input");
        } catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
            // TODO Auto-generated catch block
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
        finally {
            output.close();
        }

At first I forgot to add the finally block with output.close() and when the method got called it would not write anything. So is it correct that a formatter only actually writes its content when you close the stream?

Upvotes: 2

Answers (5)

Damian Leszczyński - Vash

Reputation: 30865

The assumption that resource in this case a file is accessed only when you call close() is not valid.

By calling close() you assure that write is done and the resource is released.

The write to it is depend on class BufferedWriter this mean that when you exceed the buffer size the data will be moved from it [buffer] to resource [file]. You can force you app to do that by calling flush(), and that is what close() does.

The default size if buffer is 1KB (8192 bits) long.

Upvotes: 5

exception1

Reputation: 1249

From the documentation: The file to use as the destination of this formatter. If the file exists then it will be truncated to zero size; otherwise, a new file will be created. The output will be written to the file and is buffered.

Classes whose output is buffered will write their stuff when flush is called. This happens implicitely in the close method.

You either have to close it or call flush().

Upvotes: 1