File setWritable() method in Java with Examples
Last Updated :
11 Jul, 2025
The
setWritable() method is a part of
File class.The function sets the owner's or everybody's permission to Write the abstract pathname. The function is a overloaded function. One function requires two parameters and the other only one.
Function Signature:
public boolean setWritable(boolean a, boolean b)
public boolean setWritable(boolean a)
Function Syntax:
file.setWritable(boolean a, boolean b)
file.setWritable(boolean a)
Parameters: The function is a overloaded function:
- For the first overload:
- If a true value is passed as the first parameter then it is allowed to Write the abstract pathname, else it is not allowed to Write the file.
- If a true value is passed as the second parameter then the Write permission applies to the owner only, else it applies to everyone
Return value: This function returns a boolean value which states whether the operation succeeded or not.
Exception: This method throws
Security Exception if the function is not allowed write access to the file.
Below programs will illustrate the use of the setWritable() function
Example 1: We will try to change the setWritable permission of owner of a existing file in f: directory.
Java
// Java program to demonstrate the
// use of setWritable() function
import java.io.*;
public class solution {
public static void main(String args[])
{
// try catch block to handle exceptions
try {
// Create a file object
File f = new File("f:\\program.txt");
// Check if the Writable permission
// can be set to new value
if (f.setWritable(true)) {
// Display that the Writable permission
// is be set to new value
System.out.println("Writable permission is set");
}
else {
// Display that the Writable permission
// cannot be set to new value
System.out.println("Writable permission cannot be set");
}
}
catch (Exception e) {
System.err.println(e.getMessage());
}
}
}
Writable permission is set
Example 2: We will try to change the setWritable permission of everyone of a existing file in f: directory.
Java
// Java program to demonstrate the
// use of setWritable() function
import java.io.*;
public class solution {
public static void main(String args[])
{
// try-catch block to handle exceptions
try {
// Create a file object
File f = new File("f:\\program.txt");
// Check if the Writable permission
// can be set to new value
if (f.setWritable(true, false)) {
// Display that the Writable permission
// is be set to new value
System.out.println("Writable permission"
+ " is set");
}
else {
// Display that the Writable permission
// cannot be set to new value
System.out.println("Writable permission"
+ " cannot be set");
}
}
catch (Exception e) {
System.err.println(e.getMessage());
}
}
}
Writable permission is set
The programs might not run in an online IDE. please use an offline IDE and set the Parent file of the file