Class LastModifiedFileComparator

java.lang.Object
org.apache.commons.io.comparator.LastModifiedFileComparator
All Implemented Interfaces:
Serializable, Comparator<File>

public class LastModifiedFileComparator extends Object implements Serializable
Compare the last modified date/time of two files for order (see FileUtils.lastModifiedUnchecked(File)).

This comparator can be used to sort lists or arrays of files by their last modified date/time.

Example of sorting a list of files using the LASTMODIFIED_COMPARATOR singleton instance:

       List<File> list = ...
       ((AbstractFileComparator) LastModifiedFileComparator.LASTMODIFIED_COMPARATOR).sort(list);
 

Example of doing a reverse sort of an array of files using the LASTMODIFIED_REVERSE singleton instance:

       File[] array = ...
       ((AbstractFileComparator) LastModifiedFileComparator.LASTMODIFIED_REVERSE).sort(array);
 

Deprecating Serialization

Serialization is deprecated and will be removed in 3.0.

Since:
1.4
See Also:
  • Field Details

  • Constructor Details

  • Method Details

    • compare

      public int compare(File file1, File file2)
      Compares the last modified date/time of two files.
      Specified by:
      compare in interface Comparator<File>
      Parameters:
      file1 - The first file to compare.
      file2 - The second file to compare.
      Returns:
      a negative value if the first file's last modified date/time is less than the second, zero if the last modified date/time are the same and a positive value if the first files last modified date/time is greater than the second file.
    • sort

      public File[] sort(File... files)
      Sorts an array of files.

      This method uses Arrays.sort(Object[], Comparator) and returns the original array.

      Parameters:
      files - The files to sort, may be null.
      Returns:
      The sorted array.
      Since:
      2.0
    • sort

      public List<File> sort(List<File> files)
      Sorts a List of files.

      This method uses List.sort(Comparator) and returns the original list.

      Parameters:
      files - The files to sort, may be null.
      Returns:
      The sorted list.
      Since:
      2.0
    • toString

      public String toString()
      String representation of this file comparator.
      Overrides:
      toString in class Object
      Returns:
      String representation of this file comparator.