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# View Source ssh_sftp (ssh v5.2.11.7)

SFTP client.

This module implements an SSH FTP (SFTP) client. SFTP is a secure, encrypted file transfer service available for SSH.

# Summary

## Types: Crypto open_tar

chunk_size()
crypto_fun()
crypto_result()

The initial `crypto_state/0` returned from the `init_fun/0` is folded into repeated applications of the `crypto_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec. The binary returned from that fun is sent to the remote SFTP server and the new `crypto_state/0` is used in the next call of the `crypto_fun/0`.

crypto_state()

The `init_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec is applied once prior to any other `crypto` operation. The intention is that this function initiates the encryption or decryption for example by calling `crypto:crypto_init/4` or similar. The `crypto_state/0` is the state such a function may return.

decrypt_spec()

Specifies the encryption or decryption applied to tar files when using `open_tar/3` or `open_tar/4`.

encrypt_spec()
final_fun()

If doing encryption, the `final_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec is applied to the last piece of data. The `final_fun/0` is responsible for padding (if needed) and encryption of that last piece.

init_fun()
tar_crypto_spec()

## Types

reason()

A description of the reason why an operation failed.

sftp_option()

## Functions

apread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len)

The `apread/4` function reads from a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `aread/3` functions.

apwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data)

The `apwrite/4` function writes to a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `awrite/3` functions.

aread(ChannelPid, Handle, Len)

Reads from an open file, without waiting for the result. If the handle is valid, the function returns `{async, N}`, where `N` is a term guaranteed to be unique between calls of `aread`. The actual data is sent as a message to the calling process. This message has the form `{async_reply, N, Result}`, where `Result` is the result from the read, either `{ok, Data}`, `eof`, or `{error, reason()}`.

awrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Data)

Writes to an open file, without waiting for the result. If the handle is valid, the function returns `{async, N}`, where `N` is a term guaranteed to be unique between calls of `awrite`. The result of the `write` operation is sent as a message to the calling process. This message has the form `{async_reply, N, Result}`, where `Result` is the result from the write, either `ok`, or `{error, reason()}`.

close(ChannelPid, Handle)

Equivalent to `close/3`.

close(ChannelPid, Handle, Timeout)

Closes a handle to an open file or directory on the server.

del_dir(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `del_dir/3`.

del_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Deletes a directory specified by `Name`. The directory must be empty before it can be successfully deleted.

delete(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `delete/3`.

delete(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Deletes the file specified by `Name`.

list_dir(ChannelPid, Path)

Equivalent to `list_dir/3`.

list_dir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout)

Lists the given directory on the server, returning the filenames as a list of strings.

make_dir(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `make_dir/3`.

make_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Creates a directory specified by `Name`. `Name` must be a full path to a new directory. The directory can only be created in an existing directory.

make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target)

Equivalent to `make_symlink/4`.

make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target, Timeout)

Creates a symbolic link pointing to `Target` with the name `Name`.

open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode)

Equivalent to `open/4`.

open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode, Timeout)

Opens a file on the server and returns a handle, which can be used for reading or writing.

open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode)

Equivalent to `open_tar/4`.

open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode, Timeout)

Opens a handle to a tar file on the server, associated with `ChannelPid`. The handle can be used for remote tar creation and extraction. The actual writing and reading is performed by calls to erl_tar:add/3,4 and `erl_tar:extract/2`. Note: The `erl_tar:init/3` function should not be called, that one is called by this open_tar function.

opendir(ChannelPid, Path)

Equivalent to `opendir/3`.

opendir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout)

Opens a handle to a directory on the server. The handle can be used for reading directory contents.

position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location)

Equivalent to `position/4`.

position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location, Timeout)

Sets the file position of the file referenced by `Handle`. Returns `{ok, NewPosition}` (as an absolute offset) if successful, otherwise `{error, reason()}`. `Location` is one of the following

pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len)

Equivalent to `pread/5`.

pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len, Timeout)

The `pread/3,4` function reads from a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `read/3,4` functions.

pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data)

Equivalent to `pwrite/5`.

pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data, Timeout)

The `pwrite/3,4` function writes to a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `write/3,4` functions.

read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len)

Equivalent to `read/4`.

read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len, Timeout)

Reads `Len` bytes from the file referenced by `Handle`. Returns `{ok, Data}`, `eof`, or `{error, reason()}`. If the file is opened with `binary`, `Data` is a binary, otherwise it is a string.

read_file(ChannelPid, File)

Equivalent to `read_file/3`.

read_file(ChannelPid, File, Timeout)

Reads a file from the server, and returns the data in a binary.

read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `read_file_info/3`.

read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Returns a `file_info` record from the file system object specified by `Name` or `Handle`. See `file:read_file_info/2` for information about the record.

read_link(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `read_link/3`.

read_link(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Reads the link target from the symbolic link specified by `name`.

read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name)

Equivalent to `read_link_info/3`.

read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

Returns a `file_info` record from the symbolic link specified by `Name` or `Handle`. See `file:read_link_info/2` for information about the record.

rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName)

Equivalent to `rename/4`.

rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName, Timeout)

Renames a file named `OldName` and gives it the name `NewName`.

start_channel(Dest)

Equivalent to `start_channel/3`.

start_channel/2

Equivalent to `start_channel/3`.

start_channel(Host, Port, UserOptions0)

start_channel(Host, Port, Options) ->

stop_channel(ChannelPid)

Stops an SFTP channel. Does not close the SSH connection. Use `ssh:close/1` to close it.

write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data)

Equivalent to `write/4`.

write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data, Timeout)

Writes `data` to the file referenced by `Handle`. The file is to be opened with `write` or `append` flag. Returns `ok` if successful or `{error, reason()}` otherwise.

write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data)

Equivalent to `write_file/4`.

write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data, Timeout)

Writes a file to the server. The file is created if it does not exist but overwritten if it exists.

write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo)

Equivalent to `write_file_info/4`.

write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo, Timeout)

Writes file information from a `file_info` record to the file specified by `Name`. See file:write_file_info/2,3 for information about the record.

# Types: Crypto open_tar

# chunk_size()

    -type chunk_size() :: undefined | pos_integer().

# crypto_fun()

    -type crypto_fun() :: fun((TextIn :: binary(), crypto_state()) -> crypto_result()).

# crypto_result()

    -type crypto_result() ::
              {ok, TextOut :: binary(), crypto_state()} |
              {ok, TextOut :: binary(), crypto_state(), chunk_size()}.

The initial `crypto_state/0` returned from the `init_fun/0` is folded into repeated applications of the `crypto_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec. The binary returned from that fun is sent to the remote SFTP server and the new `crypto_state/0` is used in the next call of the `crypto_fun/0`.

If the `crypto_fun/0` reurns a `chunk_size/0`, that value is as block size for further blocks in calls to `crypto_fun/0`.

# crypto_state()

    -type crypto_state() :: any().

The `init_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec is applied once prior to any other `crypto` operation. The intention is that this function initiates the encryption or decryption for example by calling `crypto:crypto_init/4` or similar. The `crypto_state/0` is the state such a function may return.

If the selected cipher needs to have the input data partitioned into blocks of a certain size, the `init_fun/0` should return the second form of return value with the `chunk_size/0` set to the block size. If the `chunk_size/0` is `undefined`, the size of the `PlainBin`s varies, because this is intended for stream crypto, whereas a fixed `chunk_size/0` is intended for block crypto. A `chunk_size/0` can be changed in the return from the `crypto_fun/0`. The value can be changed between `pos_integer/0` and `undefined`.

# decrypt_spec()

    -type decrypt_spec() :: {init_fun(), crypto_fun()}.

Specifies the encryption or decryption applied to tar files when using `open_tar/3` or `open_tar/4`.

The encryption or decryption is applied to the generated stream of bytes prior to sending the resulting stream to the SFTP server.

For code examples see Section Example with encryption in the ssh Users Guide.

# encrypt_spec()

    -type encrypt_spec() :: {init_fun(), crypto_fun(), final_fun()}.

# final_fun()

    -type final_fun() :: fun((FinalTextIn :: binary(), crypto_state()) -> {ok, FinalTextOut :: binary()}).

If doing encryption, the `final_fun/0` in the tar_crypto_spec is applied to the last piece of data. The `final_fun/0` is responsible for padding (if needed) and encryption of that last piece.

# init_fun()

    -type init_fun() :: fun(() -> {ok, crypto_state()}) | fun(() -> {ok, crypto_state(), chunk_size()}).

# tar_crypto_spec()

    -type tar_crypto_spec() :: encrypt_spec() | decrypt_spec().

# Types

# reason()

    -type reason() :: atom() | string() | tuple().

A description of the reason why an operation failed.

The `atom/0` value is formed from the sftp error codes in the protocol-level responses as defined in draft-ietf-secsh-filexfer-13 section 9.1. The codes are named as `SSH_FX_*` which are transformed into lowercase of the star-part. E.g. the error code `SSH_FX_NO_SUCH_FILE` will cause the `reason/0` to be `no_such_file`.

The `string/0` reason is the error information from the server in case of an exit-signal. If that information is empty, the reason is the exit signal name.

The `tuple/0` reason are other errors like for example `{exit_status,1}`.

# sftp_option()

    -type sftp_option() ::
              {timeout, timeout()} |
              {sftp_vsn, pos_integer()} |
              {window_size, pos_integer()} |
              {packet_size, pos_integer()}.

# Functions

# apread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len)

    -spec apread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len) -> {async, N} | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        Handle :: term(),
                        Position :: integer(),
                        Len :: integer(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()},
                        N :: term().

The `apread/4` function reads from a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `aread/3` functions.

# apwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data)

    -spec apwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data) -> {async, N} | Error
                     when
                         ChannelPid :: pid(),
                         Handle :: term(),
                         Position :: integer(),
                         Data :: binary(),
                         Error :: {error, reason()},
                         N :: term().

The `apwrite/4` function writes to a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `awrite/3` functions.

# aread(ChannelPid, Handle, Len)

    -spec aread(ChannelPid, Handle, Len) -> {async, N} | Error
                   when
                       ChannelPid :: pid(),
                       Handle :: term(),
                       Len :: integer(),
                       Error :: {error, reason()},
                       N :: term().

Reads from an open file, without waiting for the result. If the handle is valid, the function returns `{async, N}`, where `N` is a term guaranteed to be unique between calls of `aread`. The actual data is sent as a message to the calling process. This message has the form `{async_reply, N, Result}`, where `Result` is the result from the read, either `{ok, Data}`, `eof`, or `{error, reason()}`.

# awrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Data)

    -spec awrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Data) -> {async, N} | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        Handle :: term(),
                        Data :: binary(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()},
                        N :: term().

Writes to an open file, without waiting for the result. If the handle is valid, the function returns `{async, N}`, where `N` is a term guaranteed to be unique between calls of `awrite`. The result of the `write` operation is sent as a message to the calling process. This message has the form `{async_reply, N, Result}`, where `Result` is the result from the write, either `ok`, or `{error, reason()}`.

# close(ChannelPid, Handle)

    -spec close(ChannelPid, Handle) -> ok | Error
                   when ChannelPid :: pid(), Handle :: term(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `close/3`.

# close(ChannelPid, Handle, Timeout)

    -spec close(ChannelPid, Handle, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                   when
                       ChannelPid :: pid(),
                       Handle :: term(),
                       Timeout :: timeout(),
                       Error :: {error, reason()}.

Closes a handle to an open file or directory on the server.

# del_dir(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec del_dir(ChannelPid, Name) -> ok | Error
                     when ChannelPid :: pid(), Name :: string(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `del_dir/3`.

# del_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec del_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                     when
                         ChannelPid :: pid(),
                         Name :: string(),
                         Timeout :: timeout(),
                         Error :: {error, reason()}.

Deletes a directory specified by `Name`. The directory must be empty before it can be successfully deleted.

# delete(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec delete(ChannelPid, Name) -> ok | Error
                    when ChannelPid :: pid(), Name :: string(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `delete/3`.

# delete(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec delete(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        Name :: string(),
                        Timeout :: timeout(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()}.

Deletes the file specified by `Name`.

# list_dir(ChannelPid, Path)

    -spec list_dir(ChannelPid, Path) -> {ok, FileNames} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Path :: string(),
                          FileNames :: [FileName],
                          FileName :: string(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `list_dir/3`.

# list_dir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout)

    -spec list_dir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout) -> {ok, FileNames} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Path :: string(),
                          Timeout :: timeout(),
                          FileNames :: [FileName],
                          FileName :: string(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Lists the given directory on the server, returning the filenames as a list of strings.

# make_dir(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec make_dir(ChannelPid, Name) -> ok | Error
                      when ChannelPid :: pid(), Name :: string(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `make_dir/3`.

# make_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec make_dir(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Name :: string(),
                          Timeout :: timeout(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Creates a directory specified by `Name`. `Name` must be a full path to a new directory. The directory can only be created in an existing directory.

# make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target)

    -spec make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target) -> ok | Error
                          when
                              ChannelPid :: pid(),
                              Name :: string(),
                              Target :: string(),
                              Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `make_symlink/4`.

# make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target, Timeout)

    -spec make_symlink(ChannelPid, Name, Target, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                          when
                              ChannelPid :: pid(),
                              Name :: string(),
                              Target :: string(),
                              Timeout :: timeout(),
                              Error :: {error, reason()}.

Creates a symbolic link pointing to `Target` with the name `Name`.

# open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode)

    -spec open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                  when
                      ChannelPid :: pid(),
                      Name :: string(),
                      Mode :: [read | write | append | binary | raw],
                      Handle :: term(),
                      Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `open/4`.

# open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode, Timeout)

    -spec open(ChannelPid, Name, Mode, Timeout) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                  when
                      ChannelPid :: pid(),
                      Name :: string(),
                      Mode :: [read | write | append | binary | raw],
                      Timeout :: timeout(),
                      Handle :: term(),
                      Error :: {error, reason()}.

Opens a file on the server and returns a handle, which can be used for reading or writing.

# open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode)

(since OTP 17.4)

    -spec open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Path :: string(),
                          Mode :: [read | write | {crypto, tar_crypto_spec()}],
                          Handle :: term(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `open_tar/4`.

# open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode, Timeout)

(since OTP 17.4)

    -spec open_tar(ChannelPid, Path, Mode, Timeout) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Path :: string(),
                          Mode :: [read | write | {crypto, tar_crypto_spec()}],
                          Timeout :: timeout(),
                          Handle :: term(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Opens a handle to a tar file on the server, associated with `ChannelPid`. The handle can be used for remote tar creation and extraction. The actual writing and reading is performed by calls to erl_tar:add/3,4 and `erl_tar:extract/2`. Note: The `erl_tar:init/3` function should not be called, that one is called by this open_tar function.

For code examples see Section SFTP Client with TAR Compression in the ssh Users Guide.

The `crypto` mode option is explained in the data types section above, see Crypto operations for open_tar. Encryption is assumed if the `Mode` contains `write`, and decryption if the `Mode` contains `read`.

# opendir(ChannelPid, Path)

    -spec opendir(ChannelPid, Path) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                     when
                         ChannelPid :: pid(), Path :: string(), Handle :: term(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `opendir/3`.

# opendir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout)

    -spec opendir(ChannelPid, Path, Timeout) -> {ok, Handle} | Error
                     when
                         ChannelPid :: pid(),
                         Path :: string(),
                         Timeout :: timeout(),
                         Handle :: term(),
                         Error :: {error, reason()}.

Opens a handle to a directory on the server. The handle can be used for reading directory contents.

# position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location)

    -spec position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location) -> {ok, NewPosition} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Handle :: term(),
                          Location ::
                              Offset | {bof, Offset} | {cur, Offset} | {eof, Offset} | bof | cur | eof,
                          Offset :: integer(),
                          NewPosition :: integer(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `position/4`.

# position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location, Timeout)

    -spec position(ChannelPid, Handle, Location, Timeout) -> {ok, NewPosition} | Error
                      when
                          ChannelPid :: pid(),
                          Handle :: term(),
                          Location ::
                              Offset | {bof, Offset} | {cur, Offset} | {eof, Offset} | bof | cur | eof,
                          Timeout :: timeout(),
                          Offset :: integer(),
                          NewPosition :: integer(),
                          Error :: {error, reason()}.

Sets the file position of the file referenced by `Handle`. Returns `{ok, NewPosition}` (as an absolute offset) if successful, otherwise `{error, reason()}`. `Location` is one of the following:

- `Offset` - The same as `{bof, Offset}`.

- `{bof, Offset}` - Absolute offset.

- `{cur, Offset}` - Offset from the current position.

- `{eof, Offset}` - Offset from the end of file.

- `bof | cur | eof` - The same as eariler with `Offset` 0, that is, `{bof, 0} | {cur, 0} | {eof, 0}`.

# pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len)

    -spec pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len) -> {ok, Data} | eof | Error
                   when
                       ChannelPid :: pid(),
                       Handle :: term(),
                       Position :: integer(),
                       Len :: integer(),
                       Data :: string() | binary(),
                       Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `pread/5`.

# pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len, Timeout)

    -spec pread(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Len, Timeout) -> {ok, Data} | eof | Error
                   when
                       ChannelPid :: pid(),
                       Handle :: term(),
                       Position :: integer(),
                       Len :: integer(),
                       Timeout :: timeout(),
                       Data :: string() | binary(),
                       Error :: {error, reason()}.

The `pread/3,4` function reads from a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `read/3,4` functions.

# pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data)

    -spec pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data) -> ok | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        Handle :: term(),
                        Position :: integer(),
                        Data :: iolist(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `pwrite/5`.

# pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data, Timeout)

    -spec pwrite(ChannelPid, Handle, Position, Data, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        Handle :: term(),
                        Position :: integer(),
                        Data :: iolist(),
                        Timeout :: timeout(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()}.

The `pwrite/3,4` function writes to a specified position, combining the `position/3` and `write/3,4` functions.

# read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len)

    -spec read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len) -> {ok, Data} | eof | Error
                  when
                      ChannelPid :: pid(),
                      Handle :: term(),
                      Len :: integer(),
                      Data :: string() | binary(),
                      Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `read/4`.

# read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len, Timeout)

    -spec read(ChannelPid, Handle, Len, Timeout) -> {ok, Data} | eof | Error
                  when
                      ChannelPid :: pid(),
                      Handle :: term(),
                      Len :: integer(),
                      Timeout :: timeout(),
                      Data :: string() | binary(),
                      Error :: {error, reason()}.

Reads `Len` bytes from the file referenced by `Handle`. Returns `{ok, Data}`, `eof`, or `{error, reason()}`. If the file is opened with `binary`, `Data` is a binary, otherwise it is a string.

If the file is read past `eof`, only the remaining bytes are read and returned. If no bytes are read, `eof` is returned.

# read_file(ChannelPid, File)

    -spec read_file(ChannelPid, File) -> {ok, Data} | Error
                       when
                           ChannelPid :: pid(),
                           File :: string(),
                           Data :: binary(),
                           Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `read_file/3`.

# read_file(ChannelPid, File, Timeout)

    -spec read_file(ChannelPid, File, Timeout) -> {ok, Data} | Error
                       when
                           ChannelPid :: pid(),
                           File :: string(),
                           Data :: binary(),
                           Timeout :: timeout(),
                           Error :: {error, reason()}.

Reads a file from the server, and returns the data in a binary.

# read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name) -> {ok, FileInfo} | Error
                            when
                                ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                Name :: string(),
                                FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `read_file_info/3`.

# read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec read_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> {ok, FileInfo} | Error
                            when
                                ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                Name :: string(),
                                Timeout :: timeout(),
                                FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                Error :: {error, reason()}.

Returns a `file_info` record from the file system object specified by `Name` or `Handle`. See `file:read_file_info/2` for information about the record.

Depending on the underlying OS:es links might be followed and info on the final file, directory etc is returned. See `read_link_info/2` on how to get information on links instead.

# read_link(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec read_link(ChannelPid, Name) -> {ok, Target} | Error
                       when
                           ChannelPid :: pid(),
                           Name :: string(),
                           Target :: string(),
                           Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `read_link/3`.

# read_link(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec read_link(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> {ok, Target} | Error
                       when
                           ChannelPid :: pid(),
                           Name :: string(),
                           Target :: string(),
                           Timeout :: timeout(),
                           Error :: {error, reason()}.

Reads the link target from the symbolic link specified by `name`.

# read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name)

    -spec read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name) -> {ok, FileInfo} | Error
                            when
                                ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                Name :: string(),
                                FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `read_link_info/3`.

# read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout)

    -spec read_link_info(ChannelPid, Name, Timeout) -> {ok, FileInfo} | Error
                            when
                                ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                Name :: string(),
                                FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                Timeout :: timeout(),
                                Error :: {error, reason()}.

Returns a `file_info` record from the symbolic link specified by `Name` or `Handle`. See `file:read_link_info/2` for information about the record.

# rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName)

    -spec rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName) -> ok | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        OldName :: string(),
                        NewName :: string(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `rename/4`.

# rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName, Timeout)

    -spec rename(ChannelPid, OldName, NewName, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                    when
                        ChannelPid :: pid(),
                        OldName :: string(),
                        NewName :: string(),
                        Timeout :: timeout(),
                        Error :: {error, reason()}.

Renames a file named `OldName` and gives it the name `NewName`.

# start_channel(Dest)

    -spec start_channel(ssh:open_socket() | ssh:connection_ref() | ssh:host()) ->
                           {ok, pid()} | {ok, pid(), ssh:connection_ref()} | {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `start_channel/3`.

# start_channel/2

    -spec start_channel(ssh:open_socket(), [ssh:client_option() | sftp_option()]) ->
                           {ok, pid(), ssh:connection_ref()} | {error, reason()};
                       (ssh:connection_ref(), [ssh:client_option() | sftp_option()]) ->
                           {ok, pid()} | {ok, pid(), ssh:connection_ref()} | {error, reason()};
                       (ssh:host(), [ssh:client_option() | sftp_option()]) ->
                           {ok, pid(), ssh:connection_ref()} | {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `start_channel/3`.

# start_channel(Host, Port, UserOptions0)

    -spec start_channel(ssh:host(), inet:port_number(), [ssh:client_option() | sftp_option()]) ->
                           {ok, pid(), ssh:connection_ref()} | {error, reason()}.

start_channel(Host, Port, Options) ->

If no connection reference is provided, a connection is set up, and the new connection is returned. An SSH channel process is started to handle the communication with the SFTP server. The returned `pid` for this process is to be used as input to all other API functions in this module.

Options:

- `{timeout, timeout()}` - There are two ways to set a timeout for the underlying ssh connection:

  - If the connection timeout option `connect_timeout` is set, that value is used also for the negotiation timeout and this option (`timeout`) is ignored.
  - Otherwise, this option (`timeout`) is used as the negotiation timeout only and there is no connection timeout set

  The value defaults to `infinity`.

- `{sftp_vsn, integer()}` - Desired SFTP protocol version. The actual version is the minimum of the desired version and the maximum supported versions by the SFTP server.

All other options are directly passed to ssh:connect/3 or ignored if a connection is already provided.

# stop_channel(ChannelPid)

    -spec stop_channel(ChannelPid) -> ok when ChannelPid :: pid().

Stops an SFTP channel. Does not close the SSH connection. Use `ssh:close/1` to close it.

# write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data)

    -spec write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data) -> ok | Error
                   when ChannelPid :: pid(), Handle :: term(), Data :: iodata(), Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `write/4`.

# write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data, Timeout)

    -spec write(ChannelPid, Handle, Data, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                   when
                       ChannelPid :: pid(),
                       Handle :: term(),
                       Data :: iodata(),
                       Timeout :: timeout(),
                       Error :: {error, reason()}.

Writes `data` to the file referenced by `Handle`. The file is to be opened with `write` or `append` flag. Returns `ok` if successful or `{error, reason()}` otherwise.

# write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data)

    -spec write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data) -> ok | Error
                        when
                            ChannelPid :: pid(),
                            File :: string(),
                            Data :: iodata(),
                            Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `write_file/4`.

# write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data, Timeout)

    -spec write_file(ChannelPid, File, Data, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                        when
                            ChannelPid :: pid(),
                            File :: string(),
                            Data :: iodata(),
                            Timeout :: timeout(),
                            Error :: {error, reason()}.

Writes a file to the server. The file is created if it does not exist but overwritten if it exists.

# write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo)

    -spec write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo) -> ok | Error
                             when
                                 ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                 Name :: string(),
                                 FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                 Error :: {error, reason()}.

Equivalent to `write_file_info/4`.

# write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo, Timeout)

    -spec write_file_info(ChannelPid, Name, FileInfo, Timeout) -> ok | Error
                             when
                                 ChannelPid :: pid(),
                                 Name :: string(),
                                 FileInfo :: file:file_info(),
                                 Timeout :: timeout(),
                                 Error :: {error, reason()}.

Writes file information from a `file_info` record to the file specified by `Name`. See file:write_file_info/2,3 for information about the record.