Node.js: fs-extra ================= `fs-extra` adds file system methods that aren't included in the native `fs` module and adds promise support to the `fs` methods. It should be a drop in replacement for `fs`. [![npm Package](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/fs-extra.svg?style=flat-square)](https://www.npmjs.org/package/fs-extra) [![build status](https://api.travis-ci.org/jprichardson/node-fs-extra.svg)](http://travis-ci.org/jprichardson/node-fs-extra) [![windows Build status](https://img.shields.io/appveyor/ci/jprichardson/node-fs-extra/master.svg?label=windows%20build)](https://ci.appveyor.com/project/jprichardson/node-fs-extra/branch/master) [![downloads per month](http://img.shields.io/npm/dm/fs-extra.svg)](https://www.npmjs.org/package/fs-extra) [![Coverage Status](https://img.shields.io/coveralls/jprichardson/node-fs-extra.svg)](https://coveralls.io/r/jprichardson/node-fs-extra) Standard JavaScript Why? ---- I got tired of including `mkdirp`, `rimraf`, and `ncp` 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 attached to `fs-extra`. All `fs` methods return promises if the callback isn't passed. You don't ever need to include the original `fs` module again: ```js const fs = require('fs') // this is no longer necessary ``` you can now do this: ```js const 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 const fse = require('fs-extra') ``` you can also keep both, but it's redundant: ```js const fs = require('fs') const fse = require('fs-extra') ``` Sync vs Async ------------- Most methods are async by default. All async methods will return a promise if the callback isn't passed. Sync methods on the other hand will throw if an error occurs. Example: ```js const fs = require('fs-extra') // Async with promises: fs.copy('/tmp/myfile', '/tmp/mynewfile') .then(() => console.log('success!')) .catch(err => console.error(err)) // Async with callbacks: fs.copy('/tmp/myfile', '/tmp/mynewfile', err => { if (err) return console.error(err) console.log('success!') }) // Sync: try { fs.copySync('/tmp/myfile', '/tmp/mynewfile') console.log('success!') } catch (err) { console.error(err) } ``` Methods ------- ### Async - [copy](docs/copy.md) - [emptyDir](docs/emptyDir.md) - [ensureFile](docs/ensureFile.md) - [ensureDir](docs/ensureDir.md) - [ensureLink](docs/ensureLink.md) - [ensureSymlink](docs/ensureSymlink.md) - [mkdirs](docs/ensureDir.md) - [move](docs/move.md) - [outputFile](docs/outputFile.md) - [outputJson](docs/outputJson.md) - [pathExists](docs/pathExists.md) - [readJson](docs/readJson.md) - [remove](docs/remove.md) - [writeJson](docs/writeJson.md) ### Sync - [copySync](docs/copy-sync.md) - [emptyDirSync](docs/emptyDir-sync.md) - [ensureFileSync](docs/ensureFile-sync.md) - [ensureDirSync](docs/ensureDir-sync.md) - [ensureLinkSync](docs/ensureLink-sync.md) - [ensureSymlinkSync](docs/ensureSymlink-sync.md) - [mkdirsSync](docs/ensureDir-sync.md) - [moveSync](docs/move-sync.md) - [outputFileSync](docs/outputFile-sync.md) - [outputJsonSync](docs/outputJson-sync.md) - [pathExistsSync](docs/pathExists-sync.md) - [readJsonSync](docs/readJson-sync.md) - [removeSync](docs/remove-sync.md) - [writeJsonSync](docs/writeJson-sync.md) **NOTE:** You can still use the native Node.js methods. They are promisified and copied over to `fs-extra`. ### What happened to `walk()` and `walkSync()`? They were removed from `fs-extra` in v2.0.0. If you need the functionality, `walk` and `walkSync` are available as separate packages, [`klaw`](https://github.com/jprichardson/node-klaw) and [`klaw-sync`](https://github.com/manidlou/node-klaw-sync). Third Party ----------- ### 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? - First, take a look at existing issues. Those are probably going to be where the priority lies. - More tests for edge cases. Specifically on different platforms. There can never be enough tests. - Improve test coverage. See coveralls output for more info. Note: If you make any big changes, **you should definitely file an issue for discussion first.** ### Running the Test Suite fs-extra contains hundreds of tests. - `npm run lint`: runs the linter ([standard](http://standardjs.com/)) - `npm run unit`: runs the unit tests - `npm test`: runs both the linter and the tests ### Windows If you run the tests on the Windows and receive a lot of symbolic link `EPERM` permission errors, it's because on Windows you need elevated privilege to create symbolic links. You can add this to your Windows's account by following the instructions here: http://superuser.com/questions/104845/permission-to-make-symbolic-links-in-windows-7 However, I didn't have much luck doing this. Since I develop on Mac OS X, I use VMWare Fusion for Windows testing. I create a shared folder that I map to a drive on Windows. I open the `Node.js command prompt` and run as `Administrator`. I then map the network drive running the following command: net use z: "\\vmware-host\Shared Folders" I can then navigate to my `fs-extra` directory and run the tests. 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)`. 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) 2011-2017 [JP Richardson](https://github.com/jprichardson) [1]: http://nodejs.org/docs/latest/api/fs.html [jsonfile]: https://github.com/jprichardson/node-jsonfile