src/share/classes/java/nio/file/Files.java

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@@ -23,29 +23,1453 @@
  * questions.
  */
 
 package java.nio.file;
 
-import java.nio.file.spi.FileTypeDetector;
 import java.nio.file.attribute.*;
-import java.io.IOException;
+import java.nio.file.spi.FileSystemProvider;
+import java.nio.file.spi.FileTypeDetector;
+import java.nio.channels.SeekableByteChannel;
+import java.io.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.security.AccessController;
 import java.security.PrivilegedAction;
+import java.nio.charset.*;
 
 /**
- * This class consists exclusively of static methods that operate on files or
- * directories.
+ * This class consists exclusively of static methods that operate on files,
+ * directories, or other types of files. 
  *
+ * <p> In most cases, the methods defined here will delegate to the associated
+ * file system provider to perform the file operations.
+ *
  * @since 1.7
  */
 
 public final class Files {
     private Files() { }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the {@code FileSystemProvider} to delegate to.
+     */
+    private static FileSystemProvider provider(Path path) {
+        return path.getFileSystem().provider();
+    }
+
+    // -- File contents --
+
+    /**
+     * Opens a file, returning an input stream to read from the file. The stream
+     * will not be buffered, and is not required to support the {@link
+     * InputStream#mark mark} or {@link InputStream#reset reset} methods. The
+     * stream will be safe for access by multiple concurrent threads. Reading
+     * commences at the beginning of the file. Whether the returned stream is 
+     * <i>asynchronously closeable</i> and/or <i>interruptible</i> is highly 
+     * file system provider specific and therefore not specified.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter determines how the file is opened.
+     * If no options are present then it is equivalent to opening the file with
+     * the {@link StandardOpenOption#READ READ} option. In addition to the {@code
+     * READ} option, an implementation may also support additional implementation
+     * specific options.
+     * 
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to open
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     *
+     * @return  a new input stream
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if an invalid combination of options is specified
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported option is specified
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static InputStream newInputStream(Path path, OpenOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(path).newInputStream(path, options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens or creates a file, returning an output stream that may be used to
+     * write bytes to the file. The resulting stream will not be buffered. The
+     * stream will be safe for access by multiple concurrent threads. Whether 
+     * the returned stream is <i>asynchronously closeable</i> and/or 
+     * <i>interruptible</i> is highly file system provider specific and 
+     * therefore not specified.
+     *
+     * <p> This method opens or creates a file in exactly the manner specified
+     * by the {@link #newByteChannel(Path,Set,FileAttribute[]) newByteChannel}
+     * method with the exception that the {@link StandardOpenOption#READ READ}
+     * option may not be present in the array of options. If no options are
+     * present then this method works as if the {@link StandardOpenOption#CREATE
+     * CREATE}, {@link StandardOpenOption#TRUNCATE_EXISTING TRUNCATE_EXISTING},
+     * and {@link StandardOpenOption#WRITE WRITE} options are present. In other
+     * words, it opens the file for writing, creating the file if it doesn't
+     * exist, or initially truncating an existing {@link #isRegularFile
+     * regular-file} to a size of {@code 0} if it exists.
+     * 
+     * <p> <b>Usage Examples:</b>
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path path = ...
+     * 
+     *     // replace an existing file or create the file if it doesn't initially exist
+     *     OutputStream out = Files.newOutputStream(path);
+     * 
+     *     // append to an existing file, fail if the file does not exist     
+     *     out = Files.newOutputStream(path, APPEND);
+     * 
+     *     // append to an existing file, create file if it doesn't initially exist
+     *     out = Files.newOutputStream(CREATE, APPEND);
+     * 
+     *     // always create new file, failing if it already exists
+     *     out = Files.newOutputStream(CREATE_NEW);
+     * </pre>
+     * 
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to open or create
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     *
+     * @return  a new output stream
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if {@code options} contains an invalid combination of options
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported option is specified
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file. The {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkDelete(String) checkDelete} method is
+     *          invoked to check delete access if the file is opened with the
+     *          {@code DELETE_ON_CLOSE} option.
+     */
+    public static OutputStream newOutputStream(Path path, OpenOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(path).newOutputStream(path, options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens or creates a file, returning a seekable byte channel to access the
+     * file.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter determines how the file is opened.
+     * The {@link StandardOpenOption#READ READ} and {@link 
+     * StandardOpenOption#WRITE WRITE} options determine if the file should be
+     * opened for reading and/or writing. If neither option (or the {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#APPEND APPEND} option) is present then the file is 
+     * opened for reading. By default reading or writing commence at the 
+     * beginning of the file.
+     *
+     * <p> In the addition to {@code READ} and {@code WRITE}, the following
+     * options may be present:
+     *
+     * <table border=1 cellpadding=5 summary="">
+     * <tr> <th>Option</th> <th>Description</th> </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardOpenOption#APPEND APPEND} </td>
+     *   <td> If this option is present then the file is opened for writing and
+     *     each invocation of the channel's {@code write} method first advances
+     *     the position to the end of the file and then writes the requested
+     *     data. Whether the advancement of the position and the writing of the
+     *     data are done in a single atomic operation is system-dependent and
+     *     therefore unspecified. This option may not be used in conjunction
+     *     with the {@code READ} or {@code TRUNCATE_EXISTING} options. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardOpenOption#TRUNCATE_EXISTING TRUNCATE_EXISTING} </td>
+     *   <td> If this option is present then the existing file is truncated to
+     *   a size of 0 bytes. This option is ignored when the file is opened only
+     *   for reading. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardOpenOption#CREATE_NEW CREATE_NEW} </td>
+     *   <td> If this option is present then a new file is created, failing if
+     *   the file already exists or is a symbolic link. When creating a file the
+     *   check for the existence of the file and the creation of the file if it
+     *   does not exist is atomic with respect to other file system operations.
+     *   This option is ignored when the file is opened only for reading. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td > {@link StandardOpenOption#CREATE CREATE} </td>
+     *   <td> If this option is present then an existing file is opened if it
+     *   exists, otherwise a new file is created. This option is ignored if the
+     *   {@code CREATE_NEW} option is also present or the file is opened only
+     *   for reading. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td > {@link StandardOpenOption#DELETE_ON_CLOSE DELETE_ON_CLOSE} </td>
+     *   <td> When this option is present then the implementation makes a
+     *   <em>best effort</em> attempt to delete the file when closed by the
+     *   {@link SeekableByteChannel#close close} method. If the {@code close}
+     *   method is not invoked then a <em>best effort</em> attempt is made to
+     *   delete the file when the Java virtual machine terminates. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td>{@link StandardOpenOption#SPARSE SPARSE} </td>
+     *   <td> When creating a new file this option is a <em>hint</em> that the
+     *   new file will be sparse. This option is ignored when not creating
+     *   a new file. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardOpenOption#SYNC SYNC} </td>
+     *   <td> Requires that every update to the file's content or metadata be
+     *   written synchronously to the underlying storage device. (see <a
+     *   href="package-summary.html#integrity"> Synchronized I/O file
+     *   integrity</a>). </td>
+     * <tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardOpenOption#DSYNC DSYNC} </td>
+     *   <td> Requires that every update to the file's content be written
+     *   synchronously to the underlying storage device. (see <a
+     *   href="package-summary.html#integrity"> Synchronized I/O file
+     *   integrity</a>). </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * </table>
+     *
+     * <p> An implementation may also support additional implementation specific
+     * options.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute 
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when a new file is created.
+     *
+     * <p> In the case of the default provider, the returned seekable byte channel
+     * is a {@link java.nio.channels.FileChannel}.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Examples:</b>
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path path = ...
+     *
+     *     // open file for reading
+     *     ReadableByteChannel rbc = Files.newByteChannel(path, EnumSet.of(READ)));
+     *
+     *     // open file for writing to the end of an existing file, creating
+     *     // the file if it doesn't already exist
+     *     WritableByteChannel wbc = Files.newByteChannel(path, EnumSet.of(CREATE,APPEND));
+     *
+     *     // create file with initial permissions, opening it for both reading and writing
+     *     {@code FileAttribute<<SetPosixFilePermission>> perms = ...}
+     *     SeekableByteChannel sbc = Files.newByteChannel(path, EnumSet.of(CREATE_NEW,READ,WRITE), perms);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to open or create
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the file
+     *
+     * @return  a new seekable byte channel
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the set contains an invalid combination of options
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported open option is specified or the array contains
+     *          attributes that cannot be set atomically when creating the file
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if a file of that name already exists and the {@link
+     *          StandardOpenOption#CREATE_NEW CREATE_NEW} option is specified
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the path if the file is
+     *          opened for reading. The {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String)
+     *          checkWrite} method is invoked to check write access to the path
+     *          if the file is opened for writing. The {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkDelete(String) checkDelete} method is
+     *          invoked to check delete access if the file is opened with the
+     *          {@code DELETE_ON_CLOSE} option.
+     *
+     * @see java.nio.channels.FileChannel#open(Path,Set,FileAttribute[])
+     */
+    public static SeekableByteChannel newByteChannel(Path path,
+                                                     Set<? extends OpenOption> options,
+                                                     FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(path).newByteChannel(path, options, attrs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens or creates a file, returning a seekable byte channel to access the
+     * file.
+     *
+     * <p> This method opens or creates a file in exactly the manner specified
+     * by the {@link #newByteChannel(Path,Set,FileAttribute[]) newByteChannel}
+     * method.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to open or create
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     *
+     * @return  a new seekable byte channel
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the set contains an invalid combination of options
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported open option is specified
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if a file of that name already exists and the {@link
+     *          StandardOpenOption#CREATE_NEW CREATE_NEW} option is specified
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the path if the file is
+     *          opened for reading. The {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String)
+     *          checkWrite} method is invoked to check write access to the path
+     *          if the file is opened for writing. The {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkDelete(String) checkDelete} method is
+     *          invoked to check delete access if the file is opened with the
+     *          {@code DELETE_ON_CLOSE} option.
+     *
+     * @see java.nio.channels.FileChannel#open(Path,OpenOption[])
+     */
+    public static SeekableByteChannel newByteChannel(Path path, OpenOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        Set<OpenOption> set = new HashSet<OpenOption>(options.length);
+        Collections.addAll(set, options);
+        return newByteChannel(path, set);
+    }
+    
+    // -- Directories --
+
+    /**
+     * Opens a directory, returning a {@link DirectoryStream} to iterate over
+     * all entries in the directory. The elements returned by the directory
+     * stream's {@link DirectoryStream#iterator iterator} are of type {@code
+     * Path}, each one representing an entry in the directory. The {@code Path}
+     * objects are obtained as if by {@link Path#resolve(Path) resolving} the
+     * name of the directory entry against {@code dir}.
+     *
+     * <p> When not using the try-with-resources construct, then directory
+     * stream's {@code close} method should be invoked after iteration is
+     * completed so as to free any resources held for the open directory.
+     *
+     * <p> When an implementation supports operations on entries in the
+     * directory that execute in a race-free manner then the returned directory
+     * stream is a {@link SecureDirectoryStream}.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the path to the directory
+     *
+     * @return  a new and open {@code DirectoryStream} object
+     *
+     * @throws  NotDirectoryException
+     *          if the file could not otherwise be opened because it is not
+     *          a directory <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the directory.
+     */
+    public static DirectoryStream<Path> newDirectoryStream(Path dir)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(dir).newDirectoryStream(dir, new DirectoryStream.Filter<Path>() {
+            @Override
+            public boolean accept(Path entry) {
+                return true; 
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens a directory, returning a {@link DirectoryStream} to iterate over
+     * the entries in the directory. The elements returned by the directory
+     * stream's {@link DirectoryStream#iterator iterator} are of type {@code
+     * Path}, each one representing an entry in the directory. The {@code Path}
+     * objects are obtained as if by {@link Path#resolve(Path) resolving} the
+     * name of the directory entry against {@code dir}. The entries returned by
+     * the iterator are filtered by matching the {@code String} representation
+     * of their file names against the given <em>globbing</em> pattern.
+     *
+     * <p> For example, suppose we want to iterate over the files ending with
+     * ".java" in a directory:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path dir = ...
+     *     try (DirectoryStream&lt;Path&gt; stream = Files.newDirectoryStream(dir, "*.java")) {
+     *         :
+     *     }
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * <p> The globbing pattern is specified by the {@link
+     * FileSystem#getPathMatcher getPathMatcher} method.
+     *
+     * <p> When not using the try-with-resources construct, then directory
+     * stream's {@code close} method should be invoked after iteration is
+     * completed so as to free any resources held for the open directory.
+     *
+     * <p> When an implementation supports operations on entries in the
+     * directory that execute in a race-free manner then the returned directory
+     * stream is a {@link SecureDirectoryStream}.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the path to the directory
+     * @param   glob
+     *          the glob pattern
+     *
+     * @return  a new and open {@code DirectoryStream} object
+     *
+     * @throws  java.util.regex.PatternSyntaxException
+     *          if the pattern is invalid
+     * @throws  NotDirectoryException
+     *          if the file could not otherwise be opened because it is not
+     *          a directory <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the directory.
+     */
+    public static DirectoryStream<Path> newDirectoryStream(Path dir, String glob)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        // avoid creating a matcher if all entries are required.
+        if (glob.equals("*"))
+            return newDirectoryStream(dir);
+
+        // create a matcher and return a filter that uses it.
+        FileSystem fs = dir.getFileSystem();
+        final PathMatcher matcher = fs.getPathMatcher("glob:" + glob);
+        DirectoryStream.Filter<Path> filter = new DirectoryStream.Filter<Path>() {
+            @Override
+            public boolean accept(Path entry)  {
+                return matcher.matches(entry.getFileName());
+            }
+        };
+        return fs.provider().newDirectoryStream(dir, filter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens a directory, returning a {@link DirectoryStream} to iterate over
+     * the entries in the directory. The elements returned by the directory
+     * stream's {@link DirectoryStream#iterator iterator} are of type {@code
+     * Path}, each one representing an entry in the directory. The {@code Path}
+     * objects are obtained as if by {@link Path#resolve(Path) resolving} the
+     * name of the directory entry against {@code dir}. The entries returned by
+     * the iterator are filtered by the given {@link DirectoryStream.Filter
+     * filter}.
+     *
+     * <p> When not using the try-with-resources construct, then directory
+     * stream's {@code close} method should be invoked after iteration is
+     * completed so as to free any resources held for the open directory.
+     *
+     * <p> Where the filter terminates due to an uncaught error or runtime
+     * exception then it is propagated to the {@link Iterator#hasNext()
+     * hasNext} or {@link Iterator#next() next} method. Where an {@code
+     * IOException} is thrown, it results in the {@code hasNext} or {@code
+     * next} method throwing a {@link DirectoryIteratorException} with the
+     * {@code IOException} as the cause.
+     *
+     * <p> When an implementation supports operations on entries in the
+     * directory that execute in a race-free manner then the returned directory
+     * stream is a {@link SecureDirectoryStream}.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to iterate over the files in a directory that are
+     * larger than 8K.
+     * <pre>
+     *     DirectoryStream.Filter&lt;Path&gt; filter = new DirectoryStream.Filter&lt;Path&gt;() {
+     *         public boolean accept(Path file) throws IOException {
+     *             return (Files.size(file) > 8192L);
+     *         }
+     *     };
+     *     Path dir = ...
+     *     try (DirectoryStream&lt;Path&gt; stream = Files.newDirectoryStream(dir, filter)) {
+     *         :
+     *     }
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the path to the directory
+     * @param   filter
+     *          the directory stream filter
+     *
+     * @return  a new and open {@code DirectoryStream} object
+     *
+     * @throws  NotDirectoryException
+     *          if the file could not otherwise be opened because it is not
+     *          a directory <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the directory.
+     */
+    public static DirectoryStream<Path> newDirectoryStream(Path dir,
+                                                           DirectoryStream.Filter<? super Path> filter)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(dir).newDirectoryStream(dir, filter);
+    }
+
+    // -- Creation and deletion --
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new and empty file, failing if the file already exists. The
+     * check for the existence of the file and the creation of the new file if
+     * it does not exist are a single operation that is atomic with respect to
+     * all other filesystem activities that might affect the directory.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the file. Each attribute
+     * is identified by its {@link FileAttribute#name name}. If more than one
+     * attribute of the same name is included in the array then all but the last
+     * occurrence is ignored.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to create
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the file
+     *
+     * @return  the file
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the file
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if a file of that name already exists
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or the parent directory does not exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the new file.
+     */
+    public static Path createFile(Path path, FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        EnumSet<StandardOpenOption> options =
+            EnumSet.of(StandardOpenOption.CREATE_NEW, StandardOpenOption.WRITE);
+        SeekableByteChannel sbc = newByteChannel(path, options, attrs);
+        try {
+            sbc.close();
+        } catch (IOException x) {
+            // ignore the IOException as otherwise the method would fail
+            // after creating the file.
+        }
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new directory. The check for the existence of the file and the
+     * creation of the directory if it does not exist are a single operation
+     * that is atomic with respect to all other filesystem activities that might
+     * affect the directory. The {@link #createDirectories createDirectories}
+     * method should be used where it is required to create all nonexistent
+     * parent directories first.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the directory. Each 
+     * attribute is identified by its {@link FileAttribute#name name}. If more 
+     * than one attribute of the same name is included in the array then all but 
+     * the last occurrence is ignored.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the directory to create
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the directory
+     *
+     * @return  the directory
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if a directory could not otherwise be created because a file of
+     *          that name already exists <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or the parent directory does not exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the new directory.
+     */
+    public static Path createDirectory(Path dir, FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        provider(dir).createDirectory(dir, attrs);
+        return dir;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a directory by creating all nonexistent parent directories first.
+     * Unlike the {@link #createDirectory createDirectory} method, an exception
+     * is not thrown if the directory could not be created because it already
+     * exists.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the nonexistent
+     * directories. Each file attribute is identified by its {@link
+     * FileAttribute#name name}. If more than one attribute of the same name is
+     * included in the array then all but the last occurrence is ignored.
+     *
+     * <p> If this method fails, then it may do so after creating some, but not
+     * all, of the parent directories.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the directory to create
+     *
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the directory
+     *
+     * @return  the directory
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if {@code dir} exists but is not a directory <i>(optional specific
+     *          exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          in the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked prior to attempting to create a directory and
+     *          its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} is
+     *          invoked for each parent directory that is checked. If {@code
+     *          dir} is not an absolute path then its {@link Path#toAbsolutePath
+     *          toAbsolutePath} may need to be invoked to get its absolute path.
+     *          This may invoke the security manager's {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkPropertyAccess(String) checkPropertyAccess}
+     *          method to check access to the system property {@code user.dir}
+     */
+    public static Path createDirectories(Path dir, FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        // attempt to create the directory
+        try {
+            createAndCheckIsDirectory(dir, attrs);
+            return dir;
+        } catch (FileAlreadyExistsException x) {
+            // file exists and is not a directory
+            throw x;
+        } catch (IOException x) {
+            // parent may not exist or other reason
+        } 
+        SecurityException se = null;
+        try {
+            dir = dir.toAbsolutePath();
+        } catch (SecurityException x) {
+            // don't have permission to get absolute path
+            se = x;
+        }
+        // find a decendent that exists
+        Path parent = dir.getParent();
+        while (parent != null) {
+            try {
+                provider(parent).checkAccess(parent);
+                break;
+            } catch (NoSuchFileException x) {
+                // does not exist
+            }
+            parent = parent.getParent();
+        }
+        if (parent == null) {
+            // unable to find existing parent
+            if (se != null)
+                throw se;
+            throw new IOException("Root directory does not exist");
+        }
+
+        // create directories
+        Path child = parent;
+        for (Path name: parent.relativize(dir)) {
+            child = child.resolve(name);
+            createAndCheckIsDirectory(child, attrs);
+        }
+        return dir;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Used by createDirectories to attempt to create a directory. A no-op
+     * if the directory already exists.
+     */
+    private static void createAndCheckIsDirectory(Path dir,
+                                                  FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        try {
+            createDirectory(dir, attrs);
+        } catch (FileAlreadyExistsException x) {
+            if (!isDirectory(dir, LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS))
+                throw x;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new empty file in the specified directory, using the given
+     * prefix and suffix strings to generate its name. The resulting 
+     * {@code Path} is associated with the same {@code FileSystem} as the given 
+     * directory.
+     *
+     * <p> The details as to how the name of the file is constructed is
+     * implementation dependent and therefore not specified. Where possible
+     * the {@code prefix} and {@code suffix} are used to construct candidate
+     * names in the same manner as the {@link
+     * java.io.File#createTempFile(String,String,File)} method.
+     *
+     * <p> As with the {@code File.createTempFile} methods, this method is only
+     * part of a temporary-file facility. Where used as a <em>work files</em>,
+     * the resulting file may be opened using the {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#DELETE_ON_CLOSE DELETE_ON_CLOSE} option so that the
+     * file is deleted when the appropriate {@code close} method is invoked.
+     * Alternatively, a {@link Runtime#addShutdownHook shutdown-hook}, or the
+     * {@link java.io.File#deleteOnExit} mechanism may be used to delete the
+     * file automatically.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the file. Each attribute
+     * is identified by its {@link FileAttribute#name name}. If more than one
+     * attribute of the same name is included in the array then all but the last
+     * occurrence is ignored. When no file attributes are specified, then the
+     * resulting file may have more restrictive access permissions to files
+     * created by the {@link java.io.File#createTempFile(String,String,File)}
+     * method.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the path to directory in which to create the file
+     * @param   prefix
+     *          the prefix string to be used in generating the file's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}
+     * @param   suffix
+     *          the suffix string to be used in generating the file's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}, in which case "{@code .tmp}" is used
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the file
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the newly created file that did not exist before
+     *          this method was invoked
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the prefix or suffix parameters cannot be used to generate
+     *          a candidate file name
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or {@code dir} does not exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file.
+     */
+    public static Path createTempFile(Path dir,
+                                      String prefix,
+                                      String suffix,
+                                      FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return TempFileHelper.createTempFile(dir, prefix, suffix, attrs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates an empty file in the default temporary-file directory, using
+     * the given prefix and suffix to generate its name. The resulting {@code
+     * Path} is associated with the default {@code FileSystem}.
+     *
+     * <p> This method works in exactly the manner specified by the
+     * {@link #createTempFile(Path,String,String,FileAttribute[])} method for
+     * the case that the {@code dir} parameter is the temporary-file directory.
+     *
+     * @param   prefix
+     *          the prefix string to be used in generating the file's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}
+     * @param   suffix
+     *          the suffix string to be used in generating the file's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}, in which case "{@code .tmp}" is used
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the file
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the newly created file that did not exist before
+     *          this method was invoked
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the prefix or suffix parameters cannot be used to generate
+     *          a candidate file name
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or the temporary-file directory does not
+     *          exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file.
+     */
+    public static Path createTempFile(String prefix,
+                                      String suffix,
+                                      FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return TempFileHelper.createTempFile(null, prefix, suffix, attrs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new directory in the specified directory, using the given
+     * prefix to generate its name.  The resulting {@code Path} is associated 
+     * with the same {@code FileSystem} as the given directory.
+     *
+     * <p> The details as to how the name of the directory is constructed is
+     * implementation dependent and therefore not specified. Where possible
+     * the {@code prefix} is used to construct candidate names.
+     *
+     * <p> As with the {@code createTempFile} methods, this method is only
+     * part of a temporary-file facility. A {@link Runtime#addShutdownHook
+     * shutdown-hook}, or the {@link java.io.File#deleteOnExit} mechanism may be
+     * used to delete the directory automatically.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the directory. Each
+     * attribute is identified by its {@link FileAttribute#name name}. If more
+     * than one attribute of the same name is included in the array then all but
+     * the last occurrence is ignored.
+     *
+     * @param   dir
+     *          the path to directory in which to create the directory
+     * @param   prefix
+     *          the prefix string to be used in generating the directory's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the directory
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the newly created directory that did not exist before
+     *          this method was invoked
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the prefix cannot be used to generate a candidate directory name
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or {@code dir} does not exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access when creating the
+     *          directory.
+     */
+    public static Path createTempDirectory(Path dir,
+                                           String prefix,
+                                           FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return TempFileHelper.createTempDirectory(dir, prefix, attrs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new directory in the default temporary-file directory, using
+     * the given prefix and suffix to generate its name. The resulting {@code
+     * Path} is associated with the default {@code FileSystem}.
+     *
+     * <p> This method works in exactly the manner specified by {@link
+     * #createTempDirectory(Path,String,FileAttribute[])} method for the case
+     * that the {@code dir} parameter is the temporary-file directory.
+     * 
+     * @param   prefix
+     *          the prefix string to be used in generating the directory's name;
+     *          may be {@code null}
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
+     *          creating the directory
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the newly created directory that did not exist before
+     *          this method was invoked
+     *
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the prefix cannot be used to generate a candidate directory name
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
+     *          when creating the directory
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs or the temporary-file directory does not
+     *          exist
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access when creating the
+     *          directory.
+     */
+    public static Path createTempDirectory(String prefix,
+                                           FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return TempFileHelper.createTempDirectory(null, prefix, attrs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a symbolic link to a target <i>(optional operation)</i>.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code target} parameter is the target of the link. It may be an
+     * {@link Path#isAbsolute absolute} or relative path and may not exist. When
+     * the target is a relative path then file system operations on the resulting
+     * link are relative to the path of the link.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is optional {@link FileAttribute
+     * attributes} to set atomically when creating the link. Each attribute is
+     * identified by its {@link FileAttribute#name name}. If more than one attribute
+     * of the same name is included in the array then all but the last occurrence
+     * is ignored.
+     *
+     * <p> Where symbolic links are supported, but the underlying {@link FileStore}
+     * does not support symbolic links, then this may fail with an {@link
+     * IOException}. Additionally, some operating systems may require that the
+     * Java virtual machine be started with implementation specific privileges to
+     * create symbolic links, in which case this method may throw {@code IOException}.
+     *
+     * @param   link
+     *          the path of the symbolic link to create
+     * @param   target
+     *          the target of the symbolic link
+     * @param   attrs
+     *          the array of attributes to set atomically when creating the
+     *          symbolic link
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the symbolic link
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the implementation does not support symbolic links or the
+     *          array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically when
+     *          creating the symbolic link
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if a file with the name already exists <i>(optional specific
+     *          exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager
+     *          is installed, it denies {@link LinkPermission}<tt>("symbolic")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method denies write access to the path of the symbolic link.
+     */
+    public static Path createSymbolicLink(Path link, Path target,
+                                          FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        provider(link).createSymbolicLink(link, target, attrs);
+        return link;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new link (directory entry) for an existing file <i>(optional
+     * operation)</i>.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code link} parameter locates the directory entry to create.
+     * The {@code existing} parameter is the path to an existing file. This
+     * method creates a new directory entry for the file so that it can be
+     * accessed using {@code link} as the path. On some file systems this is
+     * known as creating a "hard link". Whether the file attributes are
+     * maintained for the file or for each directory entry is file system
+     * specific and therefore not specified. Typically, a file system requires
+     * that all links (directory entries) for a file be on the same file system.
+     * Furthermore, on some platforms, the Java virtual machine may require to
+     * be started with implementation specific privileges to create hard links
+     * or to create links to directories.
+     *
+     * @param   link
+     *          the link (directory entry) to create
+     * @param   existing
+     *          a path to an existing file
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the link (directory entry)
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the implementation does not support adding an existing file
+     *          to a directory
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if the entry could not otherwise be created because a file of
+     *          that name already exists <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager
+     *          is installed, it denies {@link LinkPermission}<tt>("hard")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method denies write access to either the link or the
+     *          existing file.
+     */
+    public static Path createLink(Path link, Path existing) throws IOException {
+        provider(link).createLink(link, existing);
+        return link;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Deletes a file.
+     *
+     * <p> An implementation may require to examine the file to determine if the
+     * file is a directory. Consequently this method may not be atomic with respect
+     * to other file system operations.  If the file is a symbolic link then the
+     * symbolic link itself, not the final target of the link, is deleted.
+     *
+     * <p> If the file is a directory then the directory must be empty. In some
+     * implementations a directory has entries for special files or links that
+     * are created when the directory is created. In such implementations a
+     * directory is considered empty when only the special entries exist.
+     * This method can be used with the {@link #walkFileTree walkFileTree}
+     * method to delete a directory and all entries in the directory, or an
+     * entire <i>file-tree</i> where required.
+     * 
+     * <p> On some operating systems it may not be possible to remove a file when
+     * it is open and in use by this Java virtual machine or other programs.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to delete
+     *
+     * @throws  NoSuchFileException
+     *          if the file does not exist <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  DirectoryNotEmptyException
+     *          if the file is a directory and could not otherwise be deleted
+     *          because the directory is not empty <i>(optional specific
+     *          exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkDelete(String)} method
+     *          is invoked to check delete access to the file
+     */
+    public static void delete(Path path) throws IOException {
+        provider(path).delete(path);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Deletes a file if it exists.
+     *
+     * <p> As with the {@link #delete(Path) delete(Path)} method, an
+     * implementation may need to examine the file to determine if the file is a
+     * directory. Consequently this method may not be atomic with respect to
+     * other file system operations.  If the file is a symbolic link, then the
+     * symbolic link itself, not the final target of the link, is deleted.
+     *
+     * <p> If the file is a directory then the directory must be empty. In some
+     * implementations a directory has entries for special files or links that
+     * are created when the directory is created. In such implementations a
+     * directory is considered empty when only the special entries exist.
+     *
+     * <p> On some operating systems it may not be possible to remove a file when
+     * it is open and in use by this Java virtual machine or other programs.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to delete
+     * 
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file was deleted by this method; {@code 
+     *          false} if the file could not be deleted because it did not
+     *          exist
+     *
+     * @throws  DirectoryNotEmptyException
+     *          if the file is a directory and could not otherwise be deleted
+     *          because the directory is not empty <i>(optional specific
+     *          exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkDelete(String)} method
+     *          is invoked to check delete access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean deleteIfExists(Path path) throws IOException {
+        return provider(path).deleteIfExists(path);
+    }
+
+    // -- Copying and moving files --
+
+    /**
+     * Copy a file to a target file.
+     *
+     * <p> This method copies a file to the target file with the {@code
+     * options} parameter specifying how the copy is performed. By default, the
+     * copy fails if the target file already exists or is a symbolic link,
+     * except if the source and target are the {@link #isSameFile same} file, in
+     * which case the method completes without copying the file. File attributes
+     * are not required to be copied to the target file. If symbolic links are
+     * supported, and the file is a symbolic link, then the final target of the
+     * link is copied. If the file is a directory then it creates an empty
+     * directory in the target location (entries in the directory are not
+     * copied). This method can be used with the {@link #walkFileTree
+     * walkFileTree} method to copy a directory and all entries in the directory,
+     * or an entire <i>file-tree</i> where required.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter may include any of the following:
+     *
+     * <table border=1 cellpadding=5 summary="">
+     * <tr> <th>Option</th> <th>Description</th> </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardCopyOption#REPLACE_EXISTING REPLACE_EXISTING} </td>
+     *   <td> If the target file exists, then the target file is replaced if it
+     *     is not a non-empty directory. If the target file exists and is a
+     *     symbolic link, then the symbolic link itself, not the target of
+     *     the link, is replaced. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardCopyOption#COPY_ATTRIBUTES COPY_ATTRIBUTES} </td>
+     *   <td> Attempts to copy the file attributes associated with this file to
+     *     the target file. The exact file attributes that are copied is platform
+     *     and file system dependent and therefore unspecified. Minimally, the
+     *     {@link BasicFileAttributes#lastModifiedTime last-modified-time} is
+     *     copied to the target file if supported by both the source and target
+     *     file store. Copying of file timestamps may result in precision
+     *     loss. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS NOFOLLOW_LINKS} </td>
+     *   <td> Symbolic links are not followed. If the file is a symbolic link,
+     *     then the symbolic link itself, not the target of the link, is copied.
+     *     It is implementation specific if file attributes can be copied to the
+     *     new link. In other words, the {@code COPY_ATTRIBUTES} option may be
+     *     ignored when copying a symbolic link. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * </table>
+     *
+     * <p> An implementation of this interface may support additional
+     * implementation specific options.
+     * 
+     * <p> Copying a file is not an atomic operation. If an {@link IOException}
+     * is thrown then it possible that the target file is incomplete or some of
+     * its file attributes have not been copied from the source file. When the
+     * {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified and the target file exists,
+     * then the target file is replaced. The check for the existence of the file
+     * and the creation of the new file may not be atomic with respect to other
+     * file system activities.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to copy a file into a directory, giving it the same file
+     * name as the source file:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path source = ...
+     *     Path newdir = ...
+     *     Files.copy(source, newdir.resolve(source.getFileName());
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   source
+     *          the path to the file to copy
+     * @param   target
+     *          the path to the target file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the copy should be done
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the target file
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains a copy option that is not supported
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if the target file exists but cannot be replaced because the
+     *          {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is not specified <i>(optional
+     *          specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  DirectoryNotEmptyException
+     *          the {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified but the file
+     *          cannot be replaced because it is a non-empty directory
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the source file, the
+     *          {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite} is invoked
+     *          to check write access to the target file. If a symbolic link is
+     *          copied the security manager is invoked to check {@link
+     *          LinkPermission}{@code ("symbolic")}.
+     */
+    public static Path copy(Path source, Path target, CopyOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        FileSystemProvider provider = provider(source);
+        if (provider(target) == provider) {
+            // same provider
+            provider.copy(source, target, options);
+        } else {
+            // different providers
+            CopyMoveHelper.copyToForeignTarget(source, target, options);
+        }
+        return target;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Move or rename a file to a target file.
+     *
+     * <p> By default, this method attempts to move the file to the target
+     * file, failing if the target file exists except if the source and
+     * target are the {@link #isSameFile same} file, in which case this method
+     * has no effect. If the file is a symbolic link then the symbolic link
+     * itself, not the target of the link, is moved. This method may be
+     * invoked to move an empty directory. In some implementations a directory
+     * has entries for special files or links that are created when the
+     * directory is created. In such implementations a directory is considered
+     * empty when only the special entries exist. When invoked to move a
+     * directory that is not empty then the directory is moved if it does not
+     * require moving the entries in the directory.  For example, renaming a
+     * directory on the same {@link FileStore} will usually not require moving
+     * the entries in the directory. When moving a directory requires that its
+     * entries be moved then this method fails (by throwing an {@code
+     * IOException}). To move a <i>file tree</i> may involve copying rather
+     * than moving directories and this can be done using the {@link
+     * #copy copy} method in conjunction with the {@link
+     * #walkFileTree Files.walkFileTree} utility method.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter may include any of the following:
+     *
+     * <table border=1 cellpadding=5 summary="">
+     * <tr> <th>Option</th> <th>Description</th> </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardCopyOption#REPLACE_EXISTING REPLACE_EXISTING} </td>
+     *   <td> If the target file exists, then the target file is replaced if it
+     *     is not a non-empty directory. If the target file exists and is a
+     *     symbolic link, then the symbolic link itself, not the target of
+     *     the link, is replaced. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@link StandardCopyOption#ATOMIC_MOVE ATOMIC_MOVE} </td>
+     *   <td> The move is performed as an atomic file system operation and all
+     *     other options are ignored. If the target file exists then it is
+     *     implementation specific if the existing file is replaced or this method
+     *     fails by throwing an {@link IOException}. If the move cannot be
+     *     performed as an atomic file system operation then {@link
+     *     AtomicMoveNotSupportedException} is thrown. This can arise, for
+     *     example, when the target location is on a different {@code FileStore}
+     *     and would require that the file be copied, or target location is
+     *     associated with a different provider to this object. </td>
+     * </table>
+     *
+     * <p> An implementation of this interface may support additional
+     * implementation specific options.
+     *
+     * <p> Where the move requires that the file be copied then the {@link
+     * BasicFileAttributes#lastModifiedTime last-modified-time} is copied to the
+     * new file. An implementation may also attempt to copy other file
+     * attributes but is not required to fail if the file attributes cannot be
+     * copied. When the move is performed as a non-atomic operation, and a {@code
+     * IOException} is thrown, then the state of the files is not defined. The
+     * original file and the target file may both exist, the target file may be
+     * incomplete or some of its file attributes may not been copied from the
+     * original file.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Examples:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to rename a file to "newname", keeping the file in the
+     * same directory:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path source = ...
+     *     Files.move(source, source.resolveSibling("newname"));
+     * </pre>
+     * Alternatively, suppose we want to move a file to new directory, keeping
+     * the same file name, and replacing any existing file of that name in the 
+     * directory:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path source = ...
+     *     Path newdir = ...
+     *     Files.move(source, newdir.resolve(source.getFileName()), REPLACE_EXISTING);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   source
+     *          the path to the file to move
+     * @param   target
+     *          the path to the target file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the move should be done
+     *
+     * @return  the path to the target file
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the array contains a copy option that is not supported
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if the target file exists but cannot be replaced because the
+     *          {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is not specified <i>(optional
+     *          specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  DirectoryNotEmptyException
+     *          the {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified but the file
+     *          cannot be replaced because it is a non-empty directory
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  AtomicMoveNotSupportedException
+     *          if the options array contains the {@code ATOMIC_MOVE} option but
+     *          the file cannot be moved as an atomic file system operation.
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to both the source and
+     *          target file.
+     */
+    public static Path move(Path source, Path target, CopyOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        FileSystemProvider provider = provider(source);
+        if (provider(target) == provider) {
+            // same provider
+            provider.move(source, target, options);
+        } else {
+            // different providers
+            CopyMoveHelper.moveToForeignTarget(source, target, options);
+        }
+        return target;
+    }
+
+    // -- Miscellenous --
+
+    /**
+     * Reads the target of a symbolic link <i>(optional operation)</i>.
+     *
+     * <p> If the file system supports <a href="package-summary.html#links">symbolic
+     * links</a> then this method is used to read the target of the link, failing
+     * if the file is not a symbolic link. The target of the link need not exist.
+     * The returned {@code Path} object will be associated with the same file
+     * system as {@code link}.
+     *
+     * @param   link
+     *          the path to the symbolic link
+     *
+     * @return  a {@code Path} object representing the target of the link
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the implementation does not support symbolic links
+     * @throws  NotLinkException
+     *          if the target could otherwise not be read because the file
+     *          is not a symbolic link <i>(optional specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager
+     *          is installed, it checks that {@code FilePermission} has been
+     *          granted with the "{@code readlink}" action to read the link.
+     */
+    public static Path readSymbolicLink(Path link) throws IOException {
+        return provider(link).readSymbolicLink(link);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the {@link FileStore} representing the file store where a file
+     * is located.
+     *
+     * <p> Once a reference to the {@code FileStore} is obtained it is
+     * implementation specific if operations on the returned {@code FileStore},
+     * or {@link FileStoreAttributeView} objects obtained from it, continue
+     * to depend on the existence of the file. In particular the behavior is not
+     * defined for the case that the file is deleted or moved to a different
+     * file store.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     *
+     * @return  the file store where the file is stored
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file, and in
+     *          addition it checks {@link RuntimePermission}<tt>
+     *          ("getFileStoreAttributes")</tt>
+     */
+    public static FileStore getFileStore(Path path) throws IOException {
+        return provider(path).getFileStore(path);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests if two paths locate the same file.
+     *
+     * <p> If both {@code Path} objects are {@link Path#equals(Object) equal}
+     * then this method returns {@code true} without checking if the file exists.
+     * If the two {@code Path} objects are associated with different providers
+     * then this method returns {@code false}. Otherwise, this method checks if
+     * both {@code Path} objects locate the same file, and depending on the
+     * implementation, may require to open or access both files.
+     *
+     * <p> If the file system and files remain static, then this method implements
+     * an equivalence relation for non-null {@code Paths}.
+     * <ul>
+     * <li>It is <i>reflexive</i>: for {@code Path} {@code f},
+     *     {@code isSameFile(f,f)} should return {@code true}.
+     * <li>It is <i>symmetric</i>: for two {@code Paths} {@code f} and {@code g},
+     *     {@code isSameFile(f,g)} will equal {@code isSameFile(g,f)}.
+     * <li>It is <i>transitive</i>: for three {@code Paths}
+     *     {@code f}, {@code g}, and {@code h}, if {@code isSameFile(f,g)} returns
+     *     {@code true} and {@code isSameFile(g,h)} returns {@code true}, then
+     *     {@code isSameFile(g,h)} will return return {@code true}.
+     * </ul>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          one path to the file
+     * @param   path2
+     *          the other path
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if, and only if, the two paths locate the same file
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to both files.
+     *
+     * @see java.nio.file.attribute.BasicFileAttributes#fileKey
+     */
+    public static boolean isSameFile(Path path, Path path2) throws IOException {
+        return provider(path).isSameFile(path, path2);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tells whether or not a file is considered <em>hidden</em>. The exact
+     * definition of hidden is platform or provider dependent. On UNIX for
+     * example a file is considered to be hidden if its name begins with a
+     * period character ('.'). On Windows a file is considered hidden if it
+     * isn't a directory and the DOS {@link DosFileAttributes#isHidden hidden}
+     * attribute is set.
+     *
+     * <p> Depending on the implementation this method may require to access
+     * the file system to determine if the file is considered hidden.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to test
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file is considered hidden
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isHidden(Path path) throws IOException {
+        return provider(path).isHidden(path);
+    }
+
     // lazy loading of default and installed file type detectors
-    private static class DefaultFileTypeDetectorHolder {
+    private static class FileTypeDetectors{
         static final FileTypeDetector defaultFileTypeDetector =
             sun.nio.fs.DefaultFileTypeDetector.create();
         static final List<FileTypeDetector> installeDetectors =
             loadInstalledDetectors();
 

@@ -52,11 +1476,11 @@
         // loads all installed file type detectors
         private static List<FileTypeDetector> loadInstalledDetectors() {
             return AccessController
                 .doPrivileged(new PrivilegedAction<List<FileTypeDetector>>() {
                     @Override public List<FileTypeDetector> run() {
-                        List<FileTypeDetector> list = new ArrayList<FileTypeDetector>();
+                        List<FileTypeDetector> list = new ArrayList<>();
                         ServiceLoader<FileTypeDetector> loader = ServiceLoader
                             .load(FileTypeDetector.class, ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader());
                         for (FileTypeDetector detector: loader) {
                             list.add(detector);
                         }

@@ -98,38 +1522,952 @@
      * defined by <a href="http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2045.txt"><i>RFC&nbsp;2045:
      * Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Part One: Format of Internet
      * Message Bodies</i></a>. The string is guaranteed to be parsable according
      * to the grammar in the RFC.
      *
-     * @param   file
-     *          The file reference
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to probe
      *
      * @return  The content type of the file, or {@code null} if the content
      *          type cannot be determined
      *
      * @throws  IOException
-     *          If an I/O error occurs
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
      * @throws  SecurityException
      *          If a security manager is installed and it denies an unspecified
      *          permission required by a file type detector implementation.
      */
-    public static String probeContentType(FileRef file)
+    public static String probeContentType(Path path)
         throws IOException
     {
         // try installed file type detectors
-        for (FileTypeDetector detector: DefaultFileTypeDetectorHolder.installeDetectors) {
-            String result = detector.probeContentType(file);
+        for (FileTypeDetector detector: FileTypeDetectors.installeDetectors) {
+            String result = detector.probeContentType(path);
             if (result != null)
                 return result;
         }
 
         // fallback to default
-        return DefaultFileTypeDetectorHolder.defaultFileTypeDetector
-            .probeContentType(file);
+        return FileTypeDetectors.defaultFileTypeDetector.probeContentType(path);
     }
 
+    // -- File Attributes --
+
     /**
+     * Returns a file attribute view of a given type.
+     *
+     * <p> A file attribute view provides a read-only or updatable view of a
+     * set of file attributes. This method is intended to be used where the file
+     * attribute view defines type-safe methods to read or update the file
+     * attributes. The {@code type} parameter is the type of the attribute view
+     * required and the method returns an instance of that type if supported.
+     * The {@link BasicFileAttributeView} type supports access to the basic
+     * attributes of a file. Invoking this method to select a file attribute
+     * view of that type will always return an instance of that class.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled by the resulting file attribute view for the case that the
+     * file is a symbolic link. By default, symbolic links are followed. If the
+     * option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then
+     * symbolic links are not followed. This option is ignored by implementations
+     * that do not support symbolic links.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want read or set a file's ACL, if supported:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path path = ...
+     *     AclFileAttributeView view = Files.getFileAttributeView(path, AclFileAttributeView.class);
+     *     if (view != null) {
+     *         List&lt;AclEntry&gt acl = view.getAcl();
+     *         :
+     *     }
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   type
+     *          the {@code Class} object corresponding to the file attribute view
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  a file attribute view of the specified type, or {@code null} if
+     *          the attribute view type is not available
+     */
+    public static <V extends FileAttributeView> V getFileAttributeView(Path path,
+                                                                       Class<V> type,
+                                                                       LinkOption... options)
+    {
+        return provider(path).getFileAttributeView(path, type, options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads a file's attributes as a bulk operation.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code type} parameter is the type of the attributes required
+     * and this method returns an instance of that type if supported. All
+     * implementations support a basic set of file attributes and so invoking
+     * this method with a  {@code type} parameter of {@code
+     * BasicFileAttributes.class} will not throw {@code
+     * UnsupportedOperationException}.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> It is implementation specific if all file attributes are read as an
+     * atomic operation with respect to other file system operations.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to read a file's attributes in bulk:
+     * <pre>
+     *    Path path = ...
+     *    BasicFileAttributes attrs = Files.readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class);
+     * </pre>
+     * Alternatively, suppose we want to read file's POSIX attributes without
+     * following symbolic links:
+     * <pre>
+     *    PosixFileAttributes attrs = Files.readAttributes(path, PosixFileAttributes.class, NOFOLLOW_LINKS);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   type
+     *          the {@code Class} of the file attributes required
+     *          to read
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  the file attributes
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an attributes of the given type are not supported
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file. If this
+     *          method is invoked to read security sensitive attributes then the
+     *          security manager may be invoke to check for additional permissions.
+     */
+    public static <A extends BasicFileAttributes> A readAttributes(Path path,
+                                                                   Class<A> type,
+                                                                   LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(path).readAttributes(path, type, options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets the value of a file attribute.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attribute} parameter identifies the attribute to be set
+     * and takes the form:
+     * <blockquote>
+     * [<i>view-name</i><b>:</b>]<i>attribute-name</i>
+     * </blockquote>
+     * where square brackets [...] delineate an optional component and the
+     * character {@code ':'} stands for itself.
+     *
+     * <p> <i>view-name</i> is the {@link FileAttributeView#name name} of a {@link
+     * FileAttributeView} that identifies a set of file attributes. If not
+     * specified then it defaults to {@code "basic"}, the name of the file
+     * attribute view that identifies the basic set of file attributes common to
+     * many file systems. <i>attribute-name</i> is the name of the attribute
+     * within the set.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is set. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to set the DOS "hidden" attribute:
+     * <pre>
+     *    Path path = ...
+     *    Files.setAttribute(path, "dos:hidden", true);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   attribute
+     *          the attribute to set
+     * @param   value
+     *          the attribute value
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  the {@code path} parameter
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the attribute view is not available or it does not support
+     *          updating the attribute
+     * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
+     *          if the attribute value is of the correct type but has an
+     *          inappropriate value
+     * @throws  ClassCastException
+     *          if the attribute value is not of the expected type or is a
+     *          collection containing elements that are not of the expected
+     *          type
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method denies write access to the file. If this method is invoked
+     *          to set security sensitive attributes then the security manager
+     *          may be invoked to check for additional permissions.
+     */
+    public static Path setAttribute(Path path, String attribute, Object value,
+                                    LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        provider(path).setAttribute(path, attribute, value, options);
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads the value of a file attribute.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attribute} parameter identifies the attribute to be read
+     * and takes the form:
+     * <blockquote>
+     * [<i>view-name</i><b>:</b>]<i>attribute-name</i>
+     * </blockquote>
+     * where square brackets [...] delineate an optional component and the
+     * character {@code ':'} stands for itself.
+     *
+     * <p> <i>view-name</i> is the {@link FileAttributeView#name name} of a {@link
+     * FileAttributeView} that identifies a set of file attributes. If not
+     * specified then it defaults to {@code "basic"}, the name of the file
+     * attribute view that identifies the basic set of file attributes common to
+     * many file systems. <i>attribute-name</i> is the name of the attribute.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we require the user ID of the file owner on a system that
+     * supports a "{@code unix}" view:
+     * <pre>
+     *    Path path = ...
+     *    int uid = (Integer)Files.getAttribute(path, "unix:uid");
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   attribute
+     *          the attribute to read
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  the attribute value or {@code null} if the attribute view
+     *          is not available or it does not support reading the attribute
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file. If this method is invoked
+     *          to read security sensitive attributes then the security manager
+     *          may be invoked to check for additional permissions.
+     */
+    public static Object getAttribute(Path path, String attribute,
+                                      LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        // only one attribute should be read
+        if (attribute.indexOf('*') >= 0 || attribute.indexOf(',') >= 0)
+            return null;
+        Map<String,Object> map = readAttributes(path, attribute, options);
+        String name;
+        int pos = attribute.indexOf(':');
+        if (pos == -1) {
+            name = attribute;
+        } else {
+            name = (pos == attribute.length()) ? "" : attribute.substring(pos+1);
+        }
+        return map.get(name);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads a set of file attributes as a bulk operation.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code attributes} parameter identifies the attributes to be read
+     * and takes the form:
+     * <blockquote>
+     * [<i>view-name</i><b>:</b>]<i>attribute-list</i>
+     * </blockquote>
+     * where square brackets [...] delineate an optional component and the
+     * character {@code ':'} stands for itself.
+     *
+     * <p> <i>view-name</i> is the {@link FileAttributeView#name name} of a {@link
+     * FileAttributeView} that identifies a set of file attributes. If not
+     * specified then it defaults to {@code "basic"}, the name of the file
+     * attribute view that identifies the basic set of file attributes common to
+     * many file systems.
+     *
+     * <p> The <i>attribute-list</i> component is a comma separated list of
+     * zero or more names of attributes to read. If the list contains the value
+     * {@code "*"} then all attributes are read. Attributes that are not supported
+     * are ignored and will not be present in the returned map. It is
+     * implementation specific if all attributes are read as an atomic operation
+     * with respect to other file system operations.
+     *
+     * <p> The following examples demonstrate possible values for the {@code
+     * attributes} parameter:
+     *
+     * <blockquote>
+     * <table border="0">
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@code "*"} </td>
+     *   <td> Read all {@link BasicFileAttributes basic-file-attributes}. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@code "size,lastModifiedTime,lastAccessTime"} </td>
+     *   <td> Reads the file size, last modified time, and last access time
+     *     attributes. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@code "posix:*"} </td>
+     *   <td> Read all {@link PosixFileAttributes POSIX-file-attributes}. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * <tr>
+     *   <td> {@code "posix:permissions,owner,size"} </td>
+     *   <td> Reads the POSX file permissions, owner, and file size. </td>
+     * </tr>
+     * </table>
+     * </blockquote>
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   attributes
+     *          the attributes to read
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  a map of the attributes returned; may be empty. The map's keys
+     *          are the attribute names, its values are the attribute values
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file. If this method is invoked
+     *          to read security sensitive attributes then the security manager
+     *          may be invoke to check for additional permissions.
+     */
+    public static Map<String,Object> readAttributes(Path path, String attributes,
+                                                    LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return provider(path).readAttributes(path, attributes, options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a file's POSIX file permissions.
+     * 
+     * <p> The {@code path} parameter is associated with a {@code FileSystem}
+     * that supports the {@link PosixFileAttributeView}. This attribute view
+     * provides access to file attributes commonly associated with files on file
+     * systems used by operating systems that implement the Portable Operating
+     * System Interface (POSIX) family of standards.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  the file permissions
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the associated file system does not support the {@code 
+     *          PosixFileAttributeView}
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, a security manager is
+     *          installed, and it denies {@link RuntimePermission}<tt>("accessUserInformation")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} method
+     *          denies read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static Set<PosixFilePermission> getPosixFilePermissions(Path path,
+                                                                   LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return readAttributes(path, PosixFileAttributes.class, options).permissions();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets a file's POSIX permissions.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code path} parameter is associated with a {@code FileSystem}
+     * that supports the {@link PosixFileAttributeView}. This attribute view
+     * provides access to file attributes commonly associated with files on file
+     * systems used by operating systems that implement the Portable Operating
+     * System Interface (POSIX) family of standards.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          A file reference that locates the file
+     * @param   perms
+     *          The new set of permissions
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the associated file system does not support the {@code 
+     *          PosixFileAttributeView}
+     * @throws  ClassCastException
+     *          if the sets contains elements that are not of type {@code
+     *          PosixFilePermission}
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, it denies {@link RuntimePermission}<tt>("accessUserInformation")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method denies write access to the file.
+     */
+    public static Path setPosixFilePermissions(Path path,
+                                               Set<PosixFilePermission> perms)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        PosixFileAttributeView view =
+            getFileAttributeView(path, PosixFileAttributeView.class);
+        if (view == null)
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        view.setPermissions(perms);
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the owner of a file.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code path} parameter is associated with a file system that
+     * supports {@link FileOwnerAttributeView}. This file attribute view provides
+     * access to a file attribute that is the owner of the file.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          A file reference that locates the file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  A user principal representing the owner of the file
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the associated file system does not support the {@code 
+     *          FileOwnerAttributeView}
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, it denies {@link RuntimePermission}<tt>("accessUserInformation")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} method
+     *          denies read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static UserPrincipal getOwner(Path path, LinkOption... options) throws IOException {
+        FileOwnerAttributeView view =
+            getFileAttributeView(path, FileOwnerAttributeView.class, options);
+        if (view == null)
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        return view.getOwner();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Updates the file owner.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code path} parameter is associated with a file system that 
+     * supports {@link FileOwnerAttributeView}. This file attribute view provides
+     * access to a file attribute that is the owner of the file.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to make "joe" the owner of a file:
+     * <pre> 
+     *     Path path = ...
+     *     UserPrincipalLookupService lookupService = 
+     *         provider(path).getUserPrincipalLookupService();
+     *     UserPrincipal joe = lookupService.lookupPrincipalByName("joe");
+     *     Files.setOwner(path, joe);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          A file reference that locates the file
+     * @param   owner
+     *          The new file owner
+     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if the associated file system does not support the {@code 
+     *          FileOwnerAttributeView}
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, it denies {@link RuntimePermission}<tt>("accessUserInformation")</tt>
+     *          or its {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method denies write access to the file.
+     *
+     * @see FileSystem#getUserPrincipalLookupService
+     * @see java.nio.file.attribute.UserPrincipalLookupService
+     */
+    public static Path setOwner(Path path, UserPrincipal owner)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        FileOwnerAttributeView view =
+            getFileAttributeView(path, FileOwnerAttributeView.class);
+        if (view == null)
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        view.setOwner(owner);
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is a symbolic link.
+     *
+     * <p> Where is it required to distinguish an I/O exception from the case
+     * that the file is not a symbolic link then the file attributes can be
+     * read with the {@link #readAttributes(Path,Class,LinkOption[])
+     * readAttributes} method and the file type tested with the {@link
+     * BasicFileAttributes#isSymbolicLink} method.
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file is a symbolic link; {@code false} if
+     *          the file does not exist, is not a symbolic link, or it cannot
+     *          be determined if the file is symbolic link or not.
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isSymbolicLink(Path path) {
+        try {
+            return readAttributes(path, 
+                                  BasicFileAttributes.class,
+                                  LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS).isSymbolicLink();
+        } catch (IOException ioe) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is a directory.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> Where is it required to distinguish an I/O exception from the case
+     * that the file is not a directory then the file attributes can be
+     * read with the {@link #readAttributes(Path,Class,LinkOption[])
+     * readAttributes} method and the file type tested with the {@link
+     * BasicFileAttributes#isDirectory} method.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to test
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file is a directory; {@code false} if
+     *          the file does not exist, is not a directory, or it cannot
+     *          be determined if the file is directory or not.
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isDirectory(Path path, LinkOption... options) {
+        try {
+            return readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class, options).isDirectory();
+        } catch (IOException ioe) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is a regular file with opaque content.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> Where is it required to distinguish an I/O exception from the case
+     * that the file is not a regular file then the file attributes can be
+     * read with the {@link #readAttributes(Path,Class,LinkOption[])
+     * readAttributes} method and the file type tested with the {@link
+     * BasicFileAttributes#isRegularFile} method.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file is a regular file; {@code false} if
+     *          the file does not exist, is not a direcregular filetory, or it 
+     *          cannot be determined if the file is regular file or not.
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isRegularFile(Path path, LinkOption... options) {
+        try {
+            return readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class, options).isRegularFile();
+        } catch (IOException ioe) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a file's last modified time.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} array may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed and the file attribute of the final target
+     * of the link is read. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     * 
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  a {@code FileTime} representing the time the file was last
+     *          modified, or an implementation specific default when a time 
+     *          stamp to indicate the time of last modification is not supported
+     *          by the file system
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file.
+     * 
+     * @see BasicFileAttributes#lastModifiedTime
+     */
+    public static FileTime getLastModifiedTime(Path path, LinkOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        return readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class, options).lastModifiedTime();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Updates a file's last modified time attribute. The file time is converted
+     * to the epoch and precision supported by the file system. Converting from
+     * finer to coarser granularities result in precision loss. The behavior of
+     * this method when attempting to set a timestamp to a value that is outside
+     * the range supported by the underlying file store is not defined. It may
+     * or not fail by throwing an {@code IOException}.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage Example:</b>
+     * Suppose we want to set the last modified time to the current time:
+     * <pre>
+     *    Path path = ...
+     *    FileTime now = FileTime.fromMillis(System.currentTimeMillis());
+     *    Files.setLastModifiedTime(path, now);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   time
+     *          the new last modified time
+     *
+     * @return  the file
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, the security manager's {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite} method is invoked
+     *          to check write access to file
+     *
+     * @see BasicFileAttributeView#setTimes
+     */
+    public static Path setLastModifiedTime(Path path, FileTime time)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        getFileAttributeView(path, BasicFileAttributeView.class)
+            .setTimes(time, null, null);
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the size of a file (in bytes). The size may differ from the
+     * actual size on the file system due to compression, support for sparse
+     * files, or other reasons. The size of files that are not {@link
+     * #isRegularFile regular} files is implementation specific and
+     * therefore unspecified.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     *
+     * @return  the file size, in bytes
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method denies read access to the file.
+     *
+     * @see BasicFileAttributes#size
+     */
+    public static long size(Path path) throws IOException {
+        return readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class).size();
+    }
+
+    // -- Accessibility --
+
+    /**
+     * Returns {@code false} if NOFOLLOW_LINKS is present.
+     */
+    private static boolean followLinks(LinkOption... options) {
+        boolean followLinks = true;
+        for (LinkOption opt: options) {
+            if (opt == LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS) {
+                followLinks = false;
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (opt == null)
+                throw new NullPointerException();
+            throw new AssertionError("Should not get here");
+        }
+        return followLinks;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file exists.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that the result of this method is immediately outdated. If this
+     * method indicates the file exists then there is no guarantee that a
+     * subsequence access will succeed. Care should be taken when using this
+     * method in security sensitive applications.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to test
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     * .
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file exists; {@code false} if the file does
+     *          not exist or its existence cannot be determined.
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, the {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkRead(String)} is invoked to check
+     *          read access to the file.
+     *
+     * @see #notExists
+     */
+    public static boolean exists(Path path, LinkOption... options) {
+        try {
+            if (followLinks(options)) {
+                provider(path).checkAccess(path);
+            } else {
+                // attempt to read attributes without following links
+                readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class,
+                               LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS);
+            }
+            // file exists
+            return true;
+        } catch (IOException x) {
+            // does not exist or unable to determine if file exists
+            return false;
+        }
+
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether the file located by this path does not exist. This method
+     * is intended for cases where it is required to take action when it can be
+     * confirmed that a file does not exist.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter may be used to indicate how symbolic links
+     * are handled for the case that the file is a symbolic link. By default,
+     * symbolic links are followed. If the option {@link LinkOption#NOFOLLOW_LINKS
+     * NOFOLLOW_LINKS} is present then symbolic links are not followed.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that this method is not the complement of the {@link #exists
+     * exists} method. Where it is not possible to determine if a file exists
+     * or not then both methods return {@code false}. As with the {@code exists}
+     * method, the result of this method is immediately outdated. If this
+     * method indicates the file does exist then there is no guarantee that a
+     * subsequence attempt to create the file will succeed. Care should be taken
+     * when using this method in security sensitive applications.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to test
+     * @param   options
+     *          options indicating how symbolic links are handled
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file does not exist; {@code false} if the
+     *          file exists or its existence cannot be determined
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, the {@link
+     *          SecurityManager#checkRead(String)} is invoked to check
+     *          read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean notExists(Path path, LinkOption... options) {
+        try {
+            if (followLinks(options)) {
+                provider(path).checkAccess(path);
+            } else {
+                // attempt to read attributes without following links
+                readAttributes(path, BasicFileAttributes.class,
+                               LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS);
+            }
+            // file exists
+            return false;
+        } catch (NoSuchFileException x) {
+            // file confirmed not to exist
+            return true;
+        } catch (IOException x) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Used by isReadbale, isWritable, isExecutable to test access to a file.
+     */
+    private static boolean isAccessible(Path path, AccessMode... modes) {
+        try {
+            provider(path).checkAccess(path, modes);
+            return true;
+        } catch (IOException x) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is readable. This method checks that a file exists
+     * and that this Java virtual machine has appropriate privileges that would
+     * allow it open the file for reading. Depending on the implementation, this
+     * method may require to read file permissions, access control lists, or
+     * other file attributes in order to check the effective access to the file.
+     * Consequently, this method may not be atomic with respect to other file
+     * system operations. 
+     * 
+     * <p> Note that the result of this method is immediately outdated, there is
+     * no guarantee that a subsequent attempt to open the file for reading will
+     * succeed (or even that it will access the same file). Care should be taken
+     * when using this method in security sensitive applications.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to check
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file exists and is readable; {@code false}
+     *          if the file does not exist, read access would be denied because
+     *          the Java virtual machine has insufficient privileges, or access
+     *          cannot be determined
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isReadable(Path path) {
+        return isAccessible(path, AccessMode.READ);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is writable. This method checks that a file exists
+     * and that this Java virtual machine has appropriate privileges that would
+     * allow it open the file for writing. Depending on the implementation, this
+     * method may require to read file permissions, access control lists, or
+     * other file attributes in order to check the effective access to the file.
+     * Consequently, this method may not be atomic with respect to other file
+     * system operations.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that result of this method is immediately outdated, there is no
+     * guarantee that a subsequent attempt to open the file for writing will
+     * succeed (or even that it will access the same file). Care should be taken
+     * when using this method in security sensitive applications.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to check
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file exists and is writable; {@code false}
+     *          if the file does not exist, write access would be denied because 
+     *          the Java virtual machine has insufficient privileges, or access 
+     *          cannot be determined
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          is invoked to check write access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isWritable(Path path) {
+        return isAccessible(path, AccessMode.WRITE);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests whether a file is executable. This method checks that a file exists
+     * and that this Java virtual machine has appropriate privileges to {@link
+     * Runtime#exec execute} the file. The semantics may differ when checking
+     * access to a directory. For example, on UNIX systems, checking for
+     * execute access checks that the Java virtual machine has permission to
+     * search the directory in order to access file or subdirectories.
+     *
+     * <p> Depending on the implementation, this method may require to read file
+     * permissions, access control lists, or other file attributes in order to
+     * check the effective access to the file. Consequently, this method may not
+     * be atomic with respect to other file system operations.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that the result of this method is immediately outdated, there is
+     * no guarantee that a subsequent attempt to execute the file will succeed
+     * (or even that it will access the same file). Care should be taken when
+     * using this method in security sensitive applications.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file to check
+     *
+     * @return  {@code true} if the file exists and is executable; {@code false}
+     *          if the file does not exist, execute access would be denied because 
+     *          the Java virtual machine has insufficient privileges, or access 
+     *          cannot be determined
+     *
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkExec(String)
+     *          checkExec} is invoked to check execute access to the file.
+     */
+    public static boolean isExecutable(Path path) {
+       return isAccessible(path, AccessMode.EXECUTE);
+    }
+
+    // -- Recursive operations --
+
+    /**
      * Walks a file tree.
      *
      * <p> This method walks a file tree rooted at a given starting file. The
      * file tree traversal is <em>depth-first</em> with the given {@link
      * FileVisitor} invoked for each file encountered. File tree traversal

@@ -137,11 +2475,11 @@
      * visit method returns a result of {@link FileVisitResult#TERMINATE
      * TERMINATE}. Where a visit method terminates due an {@code IOException},
      * an uncaught error, or runtime exception, then the traversal is terminated
      * and the error or exception is propagated to the caller of this method.
      *
-     * <p> For each file encountered this method attempts to gets its {@link
+     * <p> For each file encountered this method attempts to read its {@link
      * java.nio.file.attribute.BasicFileAttributes}. If the file is not a
      * directory then the {@link FileVisitor#visitFile visitFile} method is
      * invoked with the file attributes. If the file attributes cannot be read,
      * due to an I/O exception, then the {@link FileVisitor#visitFileFailed
      * visitFileFailed} method is invoked with the I/O exception.

@@ -172,11 +2510,11 @@
      * FileVisitOption#FOLLOW_LINKS FOLLOW_LINKS} option then this method keeps
      * track of directories visited so that cycles can be detected. A cycle
      * arises when there is an entry in a directory that is an ancestor of the
      * directory. Cycle detection is done by recording the {@link
      * java.nio.file.attribute.BasicFileAttributes#fileKey file-key} of directories,
-     * or if file keys are not available, by invoking the {@link Path#isSameFile
+     * or if file keys are not available, by invoking the {@link #isSameFile
      * isSameFile} method to test if a directory is the same file as an
      * ancestor. When a cycle is detected it is treated as an I/O error, and the
      * {@link FileVisitor#visitFileFailed visitFileFailed} method is invoked with
      * an instance of {@link FileSystemLoopException}.
      *

@@ -195,37 +2533,40 @@
      * <p> When a security manager is installed and it denies access to a file
      * (or directory), then it is ignored and the visitor is not invoked for
      * that file (or directory).
      *
      * @param   start
-     *          The starting file
+     *          the starting file
      * @param   options
-     *          Options to configure the traversal
+     *          options to configure the traversal
      * @param   maxDepth
-     *          The maximum number of directory levels to visit
+     *          the maximum number of directory levels to visit
      * @param   visitor
-     *          The file visitor to invoke for each file
+     *          the file visitor to invoke for each file
      *
+     * @return  the starting file
+     *
      * @throws  IllegalArgumentException
-     *          If the {@code maxDepth} parameter is negative
+     *          if the {@code maxDepth} parameter is negative
      * @throws  SecurityException
      *          If the security manager denies access to the starting file.
      *          In the case of the default provider, the {@link
      *          SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} method is invoked
      *          to check read access to the directory.
      * @throws  IOException
-     *          If an I/O error is thrown by a visitor method
+     *          if an I/O error is thrown by a visitor method
      */
-    public static void walkFileTree(Path start,
+    public static Path walkFileTree(Path start,
                                     Set<FileVisitOption> options,
                                     int maxDepth,
                                     FileVisitor<? super Path> visitor)
         throws IOException
     {
         if (maxDepth < 0)
             throw new IllegalArgumentException("'maxDepth' is negative");
         new FileTreeWalker(options, visitor, maxDepth).walk(start);
+        return start;
     }
 
     /**
      * Walks a file tree.
      *

@@ -232,132 +2573,529 @@
      * <p> This method works as if invoking it were equivalent to evaluating the
      * expression:
      * <blockquote><pre>
      * walkFileTree(start, EnumSet.noneOf(FileVisitOption.class), Integer.MAX_VALUE, visitor)
      * </pre></blockquote>
+     * In other words, it does not follow symbolic links, and visits all levels
+     * of the file level.
      *
      * @param   start
-     *          The starting file
+     *          the starting file
      * @param   visitor
-     *          The file visitor to invoke for each file
+     *          the file visitor to invoke for each file
      *
+     * @return  the starting file
+     *
      * @throws  SecurityException
      *          If the security manager denies access to the starting file.
      *          In the case of the default provider, the {@link
      *          SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} method is invoked
      *          to check read access to the directory.
      * @throws  IOException
-     *          If an I/O error is thrown by a visitor method
+     *          if an I/O error is thrown by a visitor method
      */
-    public static void walkFileTree(Path start, FileVisitor<? super Path> visitor)
+    public static Path walkFileTree(Path start, FileVisitor<? super Path> visitor)
         throws IOException
     {
-        walkFileTree(start,
+        return walkFileTree(start,
                      EnumSet.noneOf(FileVisitOption.class),
                      Integer.MAX_VALUE,
                      visitor);
     }
 
+
+    // -- Utility methods for simple usages --
+
+    // buffer size used for reading and writing
+    private static final int BUFFER_SIZE = 8192;
+
     /**
-     * Creates a directory by creating all nonexistent parent directories first.
+     * Opens a file for reading, returning a {@code BufferedReader} that may be
+     * used to read text from the file in an efficient manner. Bytes from the
+     * file are decoded into characters using the specified charset. Reading
+     * commences at the beginning of the file.
      *
-     * <p> The {@code attrs} parameter is an optional array of {@link FileAttribute
-     * file-attributes} to set atomically when creating the nonexistent
-     * directories. Each file attribute is identified by its {@link
-     * FileAttribute#name name}. If more than one attribute of the same name is
-     * included in the array then all but the last occurrence is ignored.
+     * <p> The {@code Reader} methods that read from the file throw {@code
+     * IOException} if a malformed or unmappable byte sequence is read.
      *
-     * <p> If this method fails, then it may do so after creating some, but not
-     * all, of the parent directories.
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   cs
+     *          the charset to use for decoding
      *
-     * @param   dir
-     *          the directory to create
+     * @return  a new buffered reader, with default buffer size, to read text
+     *          from the file
      *
-     * @param   attrs
-     *          an optional list of file attributes to set atomically when
-     *          creating the directory
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs opening the file
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
      *
-     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
-     *          if the array contains an attribute that cannot be set atomically
-     *          when creating the directory
-     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
-     *          if {@code dir} exists but is not a directory <i>(optional specific
-     *          exception)</i>
+     * @see #readAllLines
+     */
+    public static BufferedReader newBufferedReader(Path path, Charset cs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        CharsetDecoder decoder = cs.newDecoder();
+        Reader reader = new InputStreamReader(newInputStream(path), decoder);
+        return new BufferedReader(reader);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens or creates a file for writing, returning a {@code BufferedWriter}
+     * that may be used to write text to the file in an efficient manner.
+     * The {@code options} parameter specifies how the the file is created or
+     * opened. If no options are present then this method works as if the {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#CREATE CREATE}, {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#TRUNCATE_EXISTING TRUNCATE_EXISTING}, and {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#WRITE WRITE} options are present. In other words, it
+     * opens the file for writing, creating the file if it doesn't exist, or
+     * initially truncating an existing {@link #isRegularFile regular-file} to
+     * a size of {@code 0} if it exists.
+     *
+     * <p> The {@code Writer} methods to write text throw {@code IOException}
+     * if the text cannot be encoded using the specified charset.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   cs
+     *          the charset to use for encoding
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     *
+     * @return  a new buffered writer, with default buffer size, to write text
+     *          to the file
+     *
      * @throws  IOException
-     *          if an I/O error occurs
+     *          if an I/O error occurs opening or creating the file
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported option is specified
      * @throws  SecurityException
-     *          in the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
      *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
-     *          method is invoked prior to attempting to create a directory and
-     *          its {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead} is
-     *          invoked for each parent directory that is checked. If {@code
-     *          dir} is not an absolute path then its {@link Path#toAbsolutePath
-     *          toAbsolutePath} may need to be invoked to get its absolute path.
-     *          This may invoke the security manager's {@link
-     *          SecurityManager#checkPropertyAccess(String) checkPropertyAccess}
-     *          method to check access to the system property {@code user.dir}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file.
      *
+     * @see #write(Path,Iterable,Charset,OpenOption[])
      */
-    public static void createDirectories(Path dir, FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+    public static BufferedWriter newBufferedWriter(Path path, Charset cs,
+                                                   OpenOption... options)
         throws IOException
     {
-        // attempt to create the directory
-        try {
-            createAndCheckIsDirectory(dir, attrs);
-            return;
-        } catch (FileAlreadyExistsException x) {
-            // file exists and is not a directory
-            throw x;
-        } catch (IOException x) {
-            // parent may not exist or other reason
+        CharsetEncoder encoder = cs.newEncoder();
+        Writer writer = new OutputStreamWriter(newOutputStream(path, options), encoder);
+        return new BufferedWriter(writer);
         }
 
-        // find existing parent (may require absolute path)
+    /**
+     * Reads all bytes from an input stream and writes them to an output stream.
+     */
+    private static long copy(InputStream source, OutputStream sink)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        long nread = 0L;
+        byte[] buf = new byte[BUFFER_SIZE];
+        int n;
+        while ((n = source.read(buf)) > 0) {
+            sink.write(buf, 0, n);
+            nread += n;
+        }
+        return nread;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Copies all bytes from an input stream to a file. On return, the input 
+     * stream will be at end of stream.
+     * 
+     * <p> By default, the copy fails if the target file already exists or is a
+     * symbolic link. If the {@link StandardCopyOption#REPLACE_EXISTING
+     * REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified, and the target file already exists,
+     * then it is replaced if it is not a non-empty directory. If the target
+     * file exists and is a symbolic link, then the symbolic link is replaced. 
+     * In this release, the {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is the only option
+     * required to be supported by this method. Additional options may be
+     * supported in future releases.
+     *
+     * <p>  If an I/O error occurs reading from the input stream or writing to 
+     * the file, then it may do so after the target file has been created and 
+     * after some bytes have been read or written. Consequently the input 
+     * stream may not be at end of stream and may be in an inconsistent state. 
+     * It is strongly recommended that the input stream be promptly closed if an 
+     * I/O error occurs.
+     * 
+     * <p> This method may block indefinitely reading from the input stream (or 
+     * writing to the file). The behavior for the case that the input stream is 
+     * <i>asynchronously closed</i> or the thread interrupted during the copy is 
+     * highly input stream and file system provider specific and therefore not 
+     * specified.
+     * 
+     * <p> <b>Usage example</b>: Suppose we want to capture a web page and save
+     * it to a file:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path path = ...
+     *     URI u = URI.create("http://java.sun.com/");
+     *     try (InputStream in = u.toURL().openStream()) {
+     *         Files.copy(in, path);
+     *     }
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   in
+     *          the input stream to read from
+     * @param   target
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the copy should be done
+     *
+     * @return  the number of bytes read or written
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs when reading or writing
+     * @throws  FileAlreadyExistsException
+     *          if the target file exists but cannot be replaced because the
+     *          {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is not specified <i>(optional
+     *          specific exception)</i>
+     * @throws  DirectoryNotEmptyException
+     *          the {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified but the file
+     *          cannot be replaced because it is a non-empty directory
+     *          <i>(optional specific exception)</i>     *
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if {@code options} contains a copy option that is not supported
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file. Where the
+     *          {@code REPLACE_EXISTING} option is specified, the security
+     *          manager's {@link SecurityManager#checkDelete(String) checkDelete}
+     *          method is invoked to check that an existing file can be deleted.
+     */
+    public static long copy(InputStream in, Path target, CopyOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        // ensure not null before opening file
+        Objects.nonNull(in);
+        
+        // check for REPLACE_EXISTING
+        boolean replaceExisting = false;
+        for (CopyOption opt: options) {
+            if (opt == StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING) {
+                replaceExisting = true;
+            } else {
+                if (opt == null) {
+                    throw new NullPointerException("options contains 'null'");
+                }  else {
+                    throw new UnsupportedOperationException(opt + " not supported");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // attempt to delete an existing file
         SecurityException se = null;
+        if (replaceExisting) {
         try {
-            dir = dir.toAbsolutePath();
+                deleteIfExists(target);
         } catch (SecurityException x) {
-            // don't have permission to get absolute path
             se = x;
         }
-        Path parent = dir.getParent();
-        while (parent != null) {
+        }
+
+        // attempt to create target file. If it fails with
+        // FileAlreadyExistsException then it may be because the security
+        // manager prevented us from deleting the file, in which case we just
+        // throw the SecurityException.
+        OutputStream ostream;
             try {
-                parent.checkAccess();
+            ostream = newOutputStream(target, StandardOpenOption.CREATE_NEW,
+                                              StandardOpenOption.WRITE);
+        } catch (FileAlreadyExistsException x) {
+            if (se != null)
+                throw se;
+            // someone else won the race and created the file
+            throw x;
+        }
+
+        // do the copy
+        try (OutputStream out = ostream) {
+            return copy(in, out);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Copies all bytes from a file to an output stream. 
+     * 
+     * <p> If an I/O error occurs reading from the file or writing to the output 
+     * stream, then it may do so after some bytes have been read or written.
+     * Consequently the output stream may be in an inconsistent state. It is 
+     * strongly recommended that the output stream be promptly closed if an I/O 
+     * error occurs.
+     * 
+     * <p> This method may block indefinitely writing to the output stream (or 
+     * reading from the file). The behavior for the case that the output stream 
+     * is <i>asynchronously closed</i> or the thread interrupted during the copy 
+     * is highly output stream and file system provider specific and therefore 
+     * not specified.
+     * 
+     * <p> Note that if the given output stream is {@link java.io.Flushable}
+     * then its {@link java.io.Flushable#flush flush} method may need to invoked
+     * after this method completes so as to flush any buffered output.
+     * 
+     * @param   source
+     *          the  path to the file
+     * @param   out
+     *          the output stream to write to
+     *
+     * @return  the number of bytes read or written
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs when reading or writing
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static long copy(Path source, OutputStream out) throws IOException {
+        // ensure not null before opening file
+        Objects.nonNull(out);
+
+        try (InputStream in = newInputStream(source)) {
+            return copy(in, out);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Read all the bytes from an input stream. The {@code initialSize}
+     * parameter indicates the initial size of the byte[] to allocate.
+     */
+    private static byte[] read(InputStream source, int initialSize)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        int capacity = initialSize;
+        byte[] buf = new byte[capacity];
+        int nread = 0;
+        int rem = buf.length;
+        int n;
+        // read to EOF which may read more or less than initialSize (eg: file
+        // is truncated while we are reading)
+        while ((n = source.read(buf, nread, rem)) > 0) {
+            nread += n;
+            rem -= n;
+            assert rem >= 0;
+            if (rem == 0) {
+                // need larger buffer
+                int newCapacity = capacity << 1;
+                if (newCapacity < 0) {
+                    if (capacity == Integer.MAX_VALUE)
+                        throw new OutOfMemoryError("Required array size too large");
+                    newCapacity = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
+                }
+                rem = newCapacity - capacity;
+                buf = Arrays.copyOf(buf, newCapacity);
+                capacity = newCapacity;
+            }
+        }
+        return (capacity == nread) ? buf : Arrays.copyOf(buf, nread);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Read all the bytes from a file. The method ensures that the file is
+     * closed when all bytes have been read or an I/O error, or other runtime
+     * exception, is thrown.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that this method is intended for simple cases where it is
+     * convenient to read all bytes into a byte array. It is not intended for
+     * reading in large files.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     *
+     * @return  a byte array containing the bytes read from the file
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs reading from the stream
+     * @throws  OutOfMemoryError
+     *          if an array of the required size cannot be allocated, for
+     *          example the file is larger that {@code 2GB}
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     */
+    public static byte[] readAllBytes(Path path) throws IOException {
+        long size = size(path);
+        if (size > (long)Integer.MAX_VALUE)
+            throw new OutOfMemoryError("Required array size too large");
+
+        try (InputStream in = newInputStream(path)) {
+             return read(in, (int)size);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Read all lines from a file. This method ensures that the file is
+     * closed when all bytes have been read or an I/O error, or other runtime
+     * exception, is thrown. Bytes from the file are decoded into characters
+     * using the specified charset.
+     * 
+     * <p> This method recognizes the following as line terminators:
+     * <ul>
+     *   <li> <code>&#92;u000D</code> followed by <code>&#92;u000A</code>,
+     *     CARRIAGE RETURN followed by LINE FEED </li>
+     *   <li> <code>&#92;u000A</code>, LINE FEED </li>
+     *   <li> <code>&#92;u000D</code>, CARRIAGE RETURN </li>
+     * </ul>
+     * <p> Additional Unicode line terminators may be recognized in future
+     * releases.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that this method is intended for simple cases where it is
+     * convenient to read all lines in a single operation. It is not intended
+     * for reading in large files.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   cs
+     *          the charset to use for decoding
+     *
+     * @return  the lines from the file as a {@code List}; whether the {@code
+     *          List} is modifiable or not is implementation dependent and
+     *          therefore not specified
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs reading from the file or a malformed or
+     *          unmappable byte sequence is read
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkRead(String) checkRead}
+     *          method is invoked to check read access to the file.
+     *
+     * @see #newBufferedReader
+     */
+    public static List<String> readAllLines(Path path, Charset cs)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        try (BufferedReader reader = newBufferedReader(path, cs)) {
+            List<String> result = new ArrayList<>();
+            for (;;) {
+                String line = reader.readLine();
+                if (line == null)
                 break;
-            } catch (NoSuchFileException x) {
-                // does not exist
+                result.add(line);
             }
-            parent = parent.getParent();
+            return result;
         }
-        if (parent == null) {
-            // unable to find existing parent
-            if (se != null)
-                throw se;
-            throw new IOException("Root directory does not exist");
         }
 
-        // create directories
-        Path child = parent;
-        for (Path name: parent.relativize(dir)) {
-            child = child.resolve(name);
-            createAndCheckIsDirectory(child, attrs);
+    /**
+     * Writes bytes to a file. The {@code options} parameter specifies how the
+     * the file is created or opened. If no options are present then this method 
+     * works as if the {@link StandardOpenOption#CREATE CREATE}, {@link 
+     * StandardOpenOption#TRUNCATE_EXISTING TRUNCATE_EXISTING}, and {@link 
+     * StandardOpenOption#WRITE WRITE} options are present. In other words, it 
+     * opens the file for writing, creating the file if it doesn't exist, or 
+     * initially truncating an existing {@link #isRegularFile regular-file} to
+     * a size of {@code 0}. All bytes in the byte array are written to the file.
+     * The method ensures that the file is closed when all bytes have been
+     * written (or an I/O error or other runtime exception is thrown). If an I/O
+     * error occurs then it may do so after the file has created or truncated,
+     * or after some bytes have been written to the file.
+     *
+     * <p> <b>Usage example</b>: By default the method creates a new file or
+     * overrides an existing file. Suppose you instead want to append bytes
+     * to an existing file:
+     * <pre>
+     *     Path path = ...
+     *     byte[] bytes = ...
+     *     Files.write(path, bytes, StandardOpenOption.APPEND);
+     * </pre>
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   bytes
+     *          the byte array with the bytes to write
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     *
+     * @return  the path
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs writing to or creating the file
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported option is specified
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file.
+     */
+    public static Path write(Path path, byte[] bytes, OpenOption... options)
+        throws IOException
+    {
+        // ensure bytes is not null before opening file
+        Objects.nonNull(bytes);
+        
+        try (OutputStream out = Files.newOutputStream(path, options)) {
+            int len = bytes.length;
+            int rem = len;
+            while (rem > 0) {
+                int n = Math.min(rem, BUFFER_SIZE);
+                out.write(bytes, (len-rem), n);
+                rem -= n;
         }
     }
+        return path;
+    }
 
     /**
-     * Attempts to create a directory. Does nothing if the directory already
-     * exists.
+     * Write lines of text to a file. Each line is a char sequence and is
+     * written to the file in sequence with each line terminated by the
+     * platform's line separator, as defined by the system property {@code
+     * line.separator}. Characters are encoded into bytes using the specified
+     * charset.
+     * 
+     * <p> The {@code options} parameter specifies how the the file is created
+     * or opened. If no options are present then this method works as if the
+     * {@link StandardOpenOption#CREATE CREATE}, {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#TRUNCATE_EXISTING TRUNCATE_EXISTING}, and {@link
+     * StandardOpenOption#WRITE WRITE} options are present. In other words, it
+     * opens the file for writing, creating the file if it doesn't exist, or
+     * initially truncating an existing {@link #isRegularFile regular-file} to
+     * a size of {@code 0}. The method ensures that the file is closed when all
+     * lines have been written (or an I/O error or other runtime exception is
+     * thrown). If an I/O error occurs then it may do so after the file has
+     * created or truncated, or after some bytes have been written to the file.
+     *
+     * @param   path
+     *          the path to the file
+     * @param   lines
+     *          an object to iterate over the char sequences
+     * @param   cs
+     *          the charset to use for encoding
+     * @param   options
+     *          options specifying how the file is opened
+     * 
+     * @return  the path
+     *
+     * @throws  IOException
+     *          if an I/O error occurs writing to or creating the file, or the
+     *          text cannot be encoded using the specified charset
+     * @throws  UnsupportedOperationException
+     *          if an unsupported option is specified
+     * @throws  SecurityException
+     *          In the case of the default provider, and a security manager is
+     *          installed, the {@link SecurityManager#checkWrite(String) checkWrite}
+     *          method is invoked to check write access to the file.
      */
-    private static void createAndCheckIsDirectory(Path dir, FileAttribute<?>... attrs)
+    public static Path write(Path path, Iterable<? extends CharSequence> lines,
+                             Charset cs, OpenOption... options)
         throws IOException
     {
-        try {
-            dir.createDirectory(attrs);
-        } catch (FileAlreadyExistsException x) {
-            boolean isDirectory = Attributes
-                .readBasicFileAttributes(dir, LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS).isDirectory();
-            if (!isDirectory)
-                throw x;
+        // ensure lines is not null before opening file
+        Objects.nonNull(lines);
+        CharsetEncoder encoder = cs.newEncoder();
+        OutputStream out = newOutputStream(path, options);
+        try (BufferedWriter writer = new BufferedWriter(new OutputStreamWriter(out, encoder))) {
+            for (CharSequence line: lines) {
+                writer.append(line);
+                writer.newLine();
         }
     }
+        return path;
+    }
 }