Node.js: fs-extra
=================

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This module adds a few extra file system methods that aren't included in the native `fs` module. It is a drop in replacement for `fs`.



Why?
----

I got tired of including `mkdirp`, `rimraf`, and `cp -r` in most of my projects.




Installation
------------

    npm install --save fs-extra



Usage
-----

`fs-extra` is a drop in replacement for native `fs`. All methods in `fs` are unmodified and attached to `fs-extra`.

You don't ever need to include the original `fs` module again:

```js
var fs = require('fs') // this is no longer necessary
```

you can now do this:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')
```

or if you prefer to make it clear that you're using `fs-extra` and not `fs`, you may want
to name your `fs` variable `fse` like so:

```js
var fse = require('fs-extra')
```

you can also keep both, but it's redundant:

```js
var fs = require('fs')
var fse = require('fs-extra')
```


Methods
-------
- [copy](#copy)
- [copySync](#copy)
- [createOutputStream](#createoutputstreamfile-options)
- [emptyDir](#emptydirdir-callback)
- [emptyDirSync](#emptydirdir-callback)
- [ensureFile](#ensurefilefile-callback)
- [ensureFileSync](#ensurefilefile-callback)
- [ensureDir](#ensuredirdir-callback)
- [ensureDirSync](#ensuredirdir-callback)
- [mkdirs](#mkdirsdir-callback)
- [mkdirsSync](#mkdirsdir-callback)
- [move](#movesrc-dest-options-callback)
- [outputFile](#outputfilefile-data-callback)
- [outputFileSync](#outputfilefile-data-callback)
- [outputJson](#outputjsonfile-data-callback)
- [outputJsonSync](#outputjsonfile-data-callback)
- [readJson](#readjsonfile-options-callback)
- [readJsonSync](#readjsonfile-options-callback)
- [remove](#removedir-callback)
- [removeSync](#removedir-callback)
- [writeJson](#writejsonfile-object-options-callback)
- [writeJsonSync](#writejsonfile-object-options-callback)


**NOTE:** You can still use the native Node.js methods. They are copied over to `fs-extra`.


### copy()

**copy(src, dest, [options], callback)**


Copy a file or directory. The directory can have contents. Like `cp -r`.

Sync: `copySync()`


Examples:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

fs.copy('/tmp/myfile', '/tmp/mynewfile', function (err) {
  if (err) return console.error(err)
  console.log("success!")
}) // copies file

fs.copy('/tmp/mydir', '/tmp/mynewdir', function (err) {
  if (err) return console.error(err)
  console.log('success!')
}) // copies directory, even if it has subdirectories or files
```


### createOutputStream(file, [options])

Exactly like `createWriteStream`, but if the directory does not exist, it's created.

Examples:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

// if /tmp/some does not exist, it is created
var ws = fs.createOutputStream('/tmp/some/file.txt')
ws.write('hello\n')
```

Note on naming: you'll notice that fs-extra has some methods like `fs.outputJson`, `fs.outputFile`, etc that use the
word `output` to denote that if the containing directory does not exist, it should be created. If you can think of a
better succinct nomenclature for these methods, please open an issue for discussion. Thanks.



### emptyDir(dir, [callback])

Ensures that a directory is empty. If the directory does not exist, it is created. The directory itself is not deleted.

Alias: `emptydir()`

Sync: `emptyDirSync()`, `emptydirSync()`

Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

// assume this directory has a lot of files and folders
fs.emptyDir('/tmp/some/dir', function (err) {
  if (!err) console.log('success!')
})
```



### ensureFile(file, callback)

Ensures that the file exists. If the file that is requested to be created is in directories that do not exist, these directories are created. If the file already exists, it is **NOT MODIFIED**.

Alias: `createFile()`

Sync: `createFileSync()`,`ensureFileSync()`


Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

var file = '/tmp/this/path/does/not/exist/file.txt'
fs.ensureFile(file, function (err) {
  console.log(err) // => null
  // file has now been created, including the directory it is to be placed in
})
```


### ensureDir(dir, callback)

Ensures that the directory exists. If the directory structure does not exist, it is created.

Sync: `ensureDirSync()`


Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

var dir = '/tmp/this/path/does/not/exist'
fs.ensureDir(dir, function (err) {
  console.log(err) // => null
  // dir has now been created, including the directory it is to be placed in
})
```



### mkdirs(dir, callback)

Creates a directory. If the parent hierarchy doesn't exist, it's created. Like `mkdir -p`.

Alias: `mkdirp()`

Sync: `mkdirsSync()` / `mkdirpSync()`


Examples:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

fs.mkdirs('/tmp/some/long/path/that/prob/doesnt/exist', function (err) {
  if (err) return console.error(err)
  console.log("success!")
})

fs.mkdirsSync('/tmp/another/path')
```


### move(src, dest, [options], callback)

Moves a file or directory, even across devices.

Options:
clobber (boolean): overwrite existing file or directory
limit (number): number of concurrent moves, see ncp for more information

Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

fs.move('/tmp/somefile', '/tmp/does/not/exist/yet/somefile', function (err) {
  if (err) return console.error(err)
  console.log("success!")
})
```


### outputFile(file, data, callback)

Almost the same as `writeFile` (i.e. it [overwrites](http://pages.citebite.com/v2o5n8l2f5reb)), except that if the parent directory does not exist, it's created.

Sync: `outputFileSync()`


Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')
var file = '/tmp/this/path/does/not/exist/file.txt'

fs.outputFile(file, 'hello!', function (err) {
  console.log(err) // => null

  fs.readFile(file, 'utf8', function (err, data) {
    console.log(data) // => hello!
  })
})
```



### outputJson(file, data, callback)

Almost the same as `writeJson`, except that if the directory does not exist, it's created.

Alias: `outputJSON()`

Sync: `outputJsonSync()`, `outputJSONSync()`


Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')
var file = '/tmp/this/path/does/not/exist/file.txt'

fs.outputJson(file, {name: 'JP'}, function (err) {
  console.log(err) // => null

  fs.readJson(file, function(err, data) {
    console.log(data.name) // => JP
  })
})
```



### readJson(file, [options], callback)

Reads a JSON file and then parses it into an object. `options` are the same that you'd pass to `fs.readFile`.

Alias: `readJSON()`

Sync: `readJsonSync()`, `readJSONSync()`


Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

fs.readJson('./package.json', function (err, packageObj) {
  console.log(packageObj.version) // => 0.1.3
})
```

`readJsonSync()` can take a `throws` option set to `false` and it won't throw if the JSON is invalid. Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')
var file = path.join('/tmp/some-invalid.json')
var data = '{not valid JSON'
fs.writeFileSync(file, data)

var obj = fs.readJsonSync(file, {throws: false})
console.log(obj) // => null
```


### remove(dir, callback)

Removes a file or directory. The directory can have contents. Like `rm -rf`.

Alias: `delete()`

Sync: `removeSync()` / `deleteSync()`


Examples:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')

fs.remove('/tmp/myfile', function (err) {
  if (err) return console.error(err)

  console.log('success!')
})

fs.removeSync('/home/jprichardson') //I just deleted my entire HOME directory.
```



### writeJson(file, object, [options], callback)

Writes an object to a JSON file. `options` are the same that you'd pass to `fs.readFile`.

Alias: `writeJSON()`

Sync: `writeJsonSync()`, `writeJSONSync()`

Example:

```js
var fs = require('fs-extra')
fs.writeJson('./package.json', {name: 'fs-extra'}, function (err) {
  console.log(err)
})
```


Third Party
-----------

### Promises

Use [Bluebird](https://github.com/petkaantonov/bluebird). See https://github.com/petkaantonov/bluebird/blob/master/API.md#promisification. `fs-extra` is
explicitly listed as supported.

```js
var Promise = require('bluebird')
var fs = Promise.promisifyAll(require('fs-extra'))
```

Or you can use the package [`fs-extra-promise`](https://github.com/overlookmotel/fs-extra-promise) that marries the two together.


### TypeScript

If you like TypeScript, you can use `fs-extra` with it: https://github.com/borisyankov/DefinitelyTyped/tree/master/fs-extra


### File / Directory Watching

If you want to watch for changes to files or directories, then you should use [chokidar](https://github.com/paulmillr/chokidar).


### Misc.

- [mfs](https://github.com/cadorn/mfs) - Monitor your fs-extra calls.



Hacking on fs-extra
-------------------

Wanna hack on `fs-extra`? Great! Your help is needed! [fs-extra is one of the most depended upon Node.js packages](http://nodei.co/npm/fs-extra.png?downloads=true&downloadRank=true&stars=true). This project
uses [JavaScript Standard Style](https://github.com/feross/standard) - if the name or style choices bother you,
you're gonna have to get over it :) If `standard` is good enough for `npm`, it's good enough for `fs-extra`.

[![js-standard-style](https://cdn.rawgit.com/feross/standard/master/badge.svg)](https://github.com/feross/standard)

What's needed?
- More tests for edge cases. Specifically on different platforms. There can never be enough tests.
- Really really help with the Windows tests. See appveyor outputs for more info.
- Improve test coverage. See coveralls output for more info.
- A directory walker. Probably this one: https://github.com/thlorenz/readdirp imported into `fs-extra`.
- After the directory walker is integrated, any function that needs to traverse directories like
`copy`, `remove`, or `mkdirs` should be built on top of it.
- After the aforementioned functions are built on the directory walker, `fs-extra` should then explicitly
support wildcards.



Naming
------

I put a lot of thought into the naming of these functions. Inspired by @coolaj86's request. So he deserves much of the credit for raising the issue. See discussion(s) here:

* https://github.com/jprichardson/node-fs-extra/issues/2
* https://github.com/flatiron/utile/issues/11
* https://github.com/ryanmcgrath/wrench-js/issues/29
* https://github.com/substack/node-mkdirp/issues/17

First, I believe that in as many cases as possible, the [Node.js naming schemes](http://nodejs.org/api/fs.html) should be chosen. However, there are problems with the Node.js own naming schemes.

For example, `fs.readFile()` and `fs.readdir()`: the **F** is capitalized in *File* and the **d** is not capitalized in *dir*. Perhaps a bit pedantic, but they should still be consistent. Also, Node.js has chosen a lot of POSIX naming schemes, which I believe is great. See: `fs.mkdir()`, `fs.rmdir()`, `fs.chown()`, etc.

We have a dilemma though. How do you consistently name methods that perform the following POSIX commands: `cp`, `cp -r`, `mkdir -p`, and `rm -rf`?

My perspective: when in doubt, err on the side of simplicity. A directory is just a hierarchical grouping of directories and files. Consider that for a moment. So when you want to copy it or remove it, in most cases you'll want to copy or remove all of its contents. When you want to create a directory, if the directory that it's suppose to be contained in does not exist, then in most cases you'll want to create that too.

So, if you want to remove a file or a directory regardless of whether it has contents, just call `fs.remove(path)` or its alias `fs.delete(path)`. If you want to copy a file or a directory whether it has contents, just call `fs.copy(source, destination)`. If you want to create a directory regardless of whether its parent directories exist, just call `fs.mkdirs(path)` or `fs.mkdirp(path)`.


Credit
------

`fs-extra` wouldn't be possible without using the modules from the following authors:

- [Isaac Shlueter](https://github.com/isaacs)
- [Charlie McConnel](https://github.com/avianflu)
- [James Halliday](https://github.com/substack)
- [Andrew Kelley](https://github.com/andrewrk)




License
-------


Licensed under MIT

Copyright (c) 2011-2015 JP Richardson

[1]: http://nodejs.org/docs/latest/api/fs.html


[jsonfile]: https://github.com/jprichardson/node-jsonfile








