Java - File mkdir() method

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Description

The Java File mkdir() method is used to create a single directory. It returns true if the directory is successfully created, and false if the directory already exists or if the operation fails (e.g., due to insufficient permissions or a missing parent directory).

Declaration

Following is the declaration for java.io.File.mkdir() method −

public boolean mkdir()

Parameters

NA

Return Value

The method returns true if the directory is created, else the method returns false.

Exception

• SecurityException − If a security manager exists and its SecurityManager.checkWrite(java.lang.String) method denies access to create the named directory.

Example - Usage of File mkdir() method

The following example shows the usage of Java File mkdir() method. We've created a File reference. Then we're creating a File Object using a directory path which is present in the given location. Using mkdir() method, we're trying to create the folder and getting the result in boolean variable. Then we're printing the status of directory being created or not.

FileDemo.java

package com.tutorialspoint;

import java.io.File;

public class FileDemo {
   public static void main(String[] args) {      
      File f = null;
      boolean bool = false;      
      try {
         f = new File("F:/Test2");
         
         // create the directory
         bool = f.mkdir();
         
         // print
         System.out.print("Directory created? "+bool);
         
      } catch(Exception e) {
         // if any error occurs
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result−

Directory created? false

Example - Usage of File mkdir() method

The following example shows the usage of Java File mkdir() method. We've created a File reference. Then we're creating a File Object using a directory path which is not present in the given location. Using mkdir() method, we're trying to create the folder and getting the result in boolean variable. Then we're printing the status of directory being created or not.

FileDemo.java

package com.tutorialspoint;

import java.io.File;

public class FileDemo {
   public static void main(String[] args) {      
      File f = null;
      boolean bool = false;      
      try {
         f = new File("F:/Test3");
         
         // create the directory
         bool = f.mkdir();
         
         // print
         System.out.print("Directory created? "+bool);
         
      } catch(Exception e) {
         // if any error occurs
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result−

Directory created? true

Example - Creating a Single Directory

The following example shows the usage of Java File mkdir() method.

FileDemo.java

package com.tutorialspoint;

import java.io.File;

public class FileDemo {
   public static void main(String[] args) {      
      // Specify the directory path
      File directory = new File("MyDirectory");

      // Create the directory
      if (directory.mkdir()) {
         System.out.println("Directory created successfully: " + directory.getAbsolutePath());
      } else {
         System.out.println("Failed to create directory. It may already exist.");
      }
   }
}

Possible Output

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result−

Directory created successfully: C:\Users\YourName\MyDirectory
or
Failed to create directory. It may already exist.

Explanation

• The File object is created with the directory name "MyDirectory".

• The mkdir() method attempts to create the directory. Fails if the parent directory does not exist.

• If successful, it prints the absolute path of the newly created directory.

• If it fails (e.g., the directory already exists), an appropriate message is displayed.