Java Path resolve()

In this guide, you will learn about the Path resolve() method in Java programming and how to use it with an example.

1. Path resolve() Method Overview

Definition:

The resolve() method of the Path interface in Java's NIO (New I/O) package combines the current path with a given path. If the provided path is absolute, it returns the given path; otherwise, it returns a new path by concatenating the current path with the given path.

Syntax:

Path resolve(Path other)

Parameters:

- other: the path to resolve against this path.

Key Points:

- This method is useful for constructing a new Path by appending a relative path to an existing base path.

- If the other path is absolute, this method trivially returns the other.

- If the other path is an empty path then this method trivially returns this path.

- Otherwise, this method considers this path to be a directory and resolves the other path against this path.

2. Path resolve() Method Example

import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class PathResolveExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Path basePath = Paths.get("/home/user");
        Path relativePath = Paths.get("documents/myfile.txt");

        Path resultPath = basePath.resolve(relativePath);
        System.out.println("Base path: " + basePath);
        System.out.println("Relative path: " + relativePath);
        System.out.println("Resolved path: " + resultPath);
    }
}

Output:

Base path: /home/user
Relative path: documents/myfile.txt
Resolved path: /home/user/documents/myfile.txt

Explanation:

In the example, we have a base path /home/user and a relative path documents/myfile.txt. When we use the resolve() method, it constructs a new path by appending the relative path to the base path, resulting in /home/user/documents/myfile.txt.