# File System



> Stability: 2 - Stable



File I/O is provided by simple wrappers around standard POSIX functions.  To
use this module do `require('fs')`. All the methods have asynchronous and
synchronous forms.

The asynchronous form always takes a completion callback as its last argument.
The arguments passed to the completion callback depend on the method, but the
first argument is always reserved for an exception. If the operation was
completed successfully, then the first argument will be `null` or `undefined`.

When using the synchronous form any exceptions are immediately thrown.
Exceptions may be handled using `try`/`catch`, or they may be allowed to
bubble up.

Here is an example of the asynchronous version:

```js
const fs = require('fs');

fs.unlink('/tmp/hello', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log('successfully deleted /tmp/hello');
});
```

Here is the synchronous version:

```js
const fs = require('fs');

fs.unlinkSync('/tmp/hello');
console.log('successfully deleted /tmp/hello');
```

With the asynchronous methods there is no guaranteed ordering. So the
following is prone to error:

```js
fs.rename('/tmp/hello', '/tmp/world', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log('renamed complete');
});
fs.stat('/tmp/world', (err, stats) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(`stats: ${JSON.stringify(stats)}`);
});
```

It could be that `fs.stat` is executed before `fs.rename`.
The correct way to do this is to chain the callbacks.

```js
fs.rename('/tmp/hello', '/tmp/world', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  fs.stat('/tmp/world', (err, stats) => {
    if (err) throw err;
    console.log(`stats: ${JSON.stringify(stats)}`);
  });
});
```

In busy processes, the programmer is _strongly encouraged_ to use the
asynchronous versions of these calls. The synchronous versions will block
the entire process until they complete--halting all connections.

The relative path to a filename can be used. Remember, however, that this path
will be relative to `process.cwd()`.

While it is not recommended, most fs functions allow the callback argument to
be omitted, in which case a default callback is used that rethrows errors. To
get a trace to the original call site, set the `NODE_DEBUG` environment
variable:

*Note*: Omitting the callback function on asynchronous fs functions is
deprecated and may result in an error being thrown in the future.

```txt
$ cat script.js
function bad() {
  require('fs').readFile('/');
}
bad();

$ env NODE_DEBUG=fs node script.js
fs.js:88
        throw backtrace;
        ^
Error: EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, read
    <stack trace.>
```

*Note:* On Windows Node.js follows the concept of per-drive working directory.
This behavior can be observed when using a drive path without a backslash. For
example `fs.readdirSync('c:\\')` can potentially return a different result than
`fs.readdirSync('c:')`. For more information, see
[this MSDN page][MSDN-Rel-Path].

*Note:* On Windows, opening an existing hidden file using the `w` flag (either
through `fs.open` or `fs.writeFile`) will fail with `EPERM`. Existing hidden
files can be opened for writing with the `r+` flag. A call to `fs.ftruncate` can
be used to reset the file contents.

## Threadpool Usage

Note that all file system APIs except `fs.FSWatcher()` and those that are
explicitly synchronous use libuv's threadpool, which can have surprising and
negative performance implications for some applications, see the
[`UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE`][] documentation for more information.

## WHATWG URL object support


> Stability: 1 - Experimental

For most `fs` module functions, the `path` or `filename` argument may be passed
as a WHATWG [`URL`][] object. Only [`URL`][] objects using the `file:` protocol
are supported.

```js
const fs = require('fs');
const { URL } = require('url');
const fileUrl = new URL('file:///tmp/hello');

fs.readFileSync(fileUrl);
```

*Note*: `file:` URLs are always absolute paths.

Using WHATWG [`URL`][] objects might introduce platform-specific behaviors.

On Windows, `file:` URLs with a hostname convert to UNC paths, while `file:`
URLs with drive letters convert to local absolute paths. `file:` URLs without a
hostname nor a drive letter will result in a throw :

```js
// On Windows :

// - WHATWG file URLs with hostname convert to UNC path
// file://hostname/p/a/t/h/file => \\hostname\p\a\t\h\file
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file://hostname/p/a/t/h/file'));

// - WHATWG file URLs with drive letters convert to absolute path
// file:///C:/tmp/hello => C:\tmp\hello
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///C:/tmp/hello'));

// - WHATWG file URLs without hostname must have a drive letters
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///notdriveletter/p/a/t/h/file'));
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///c/p/a/t/h/file'));
// TypeError [ERR_INVALID_FILE_URL_PATH]: File URL path must be absolute
```

*Note*: `file:` URLs with drive letters must use `:` as a separator just after
the drive letter. Using another separator will result in a throw.

On all other platforms, `file:` URLs with a hostname are unsupported and will
result in a throw:

```js
// On other platforms:

// - WHATWG file URLs with hostname are unsupported
// file://hostname/p/a/t/h/file => throw!
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file://hostname/p/a/t/h/file'));
// TypeError [ERR_INVALID_FILE_URL_PATH]: must be absolute

// - WHATWG file URLs convert to absolute path
// file:///tmp/hello => /tmp/hello
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///tmp/hello'));
```

A `file:` URL having encoded slash characters will result in a throw on all
platforms:

```js
// On Windows
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///C:/p/a/t/h/%2F'));
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///C:/p/a/t/h/%2f'));
/* TypeError [ERR_INVALID_FILE_URL_PATH]: File URL path must not include encoded
\ or / characters */

// On POSIX
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///p/a/t/h/%2F'));
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///p/a/t/h/%2f'));
/* TypeError [ERR_INVALID_FILE_URL_PATH]: File URL path must not include encoded
/ characters */
```
On Windows, `file:` URLs having encoded backslash will result in a throw:

```js
// On Windows
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///C:/path/%5C'));
fs.readFileSync(new URL('file:///C:/path/%5c'));
/* TypeError [ERR_INVALID_FILE_URL_PATH]: File URL path must not include encoded
\ or / characters */
```

## Buffer API


`fs` functions support passing and receiving paths as both strings
and Buffers. The latter is intended to make it possible to work with
filesystems that allow for non-UTF-8 filenames. For most typical
uses, working with paths as Buffers will be unnecessary, as the string
API converts to and from UTF-8 automatically.

*Note*: On certain file systems (such as NTFS and HFS+) filenames
will always be encoded as UTF-8. On such file systems, passing
non-UTF-8 encoded Buffers to `fs` functions will not work as expected.

## Class: fs.FSWatcher


Objects returned from [`fs.watch()`][] are of this type.

The `listener` callback provided to `fs.watch()` receives the returned FSWatcher's
`change` events.

The object itself emits these events:

### Event: 'change'


* `eventType` {string} The type of fs change
* `filename` {string|Buffer} The filename that changed (if relevant/available)

Emitted when something changes in a watched directory or file.
See more details in [`fs.watch()`][].

The `filename` argument may not be provided depending on operating system
support. If `filename` is provided, it will be provided as a `Buffer` if
`fs.watch()` is called with its `encoding` option set to `'buffer'`, otherwise
`filename` will be a string.

```js
// Example when handled through fs.watch listener
fs.watch('./tmp', { encoding: 'buffer' }, (eventType, filename) => {
  if (filename) {
    console.log(filename);
    // Prints: <Buffer ...>
  }
});
```

### Event: 'error'


* `error` {Error}

Emitted when an error occurs.

### watcher.close()


Stop watching for changes on the given `fs.FSWatcher`.

## Class: fs.ReadStream


`ReadStream` is a [Readable Stream][].

### Event: 'close'


Emitted when the `ReadStream`'s underlying file descriptor has been closed.

### Event: 'open'


* `fd` {integer} Integer file descriptor used by the ReadStream.

Emitted when the ReadStream's file is opened.

### readStream.bytesRead


The number of bytes read so far.

### readStream.path


The path to the file the stream is reading from as specified in the first
argument to `fs.createReadStream()`. If `path` is passed as a string, then
`readStream.path` will be a string. If `path` is passed as a `Buffer`, then
`readStream.path` will be a `Buffer`.

## Class: fs.Stats


Objects returned from [`fs.stat()`][], [`fs.lstat()`][] and [`fs.fstat()`][] and
their synchronous counterparts are of this type.

 - `stats.isFile()`
 - `stats.isDirectory()`
 - `stats.isBlockDevice()`
 - `stats.isCharacterDevice()`
 - `stats.isSymbolicLink()` (only valid with [`fs.lstat()`][])
 - `stats.isFIFO()`
 - `stats.isSocket()`

For a regular file [`util.inspect(stats)`][] would return a string very
similar to this:

```console
Stats {
  dev: 2114,
  ino: 48064969,
  mode: 33188,
  nlink: 1,
  uid: 85,
  gid: 100,
  rdev: 0,
  size: 527,
  blksize: 4096,
  blocks: 8,
  atimeMs: 1318289051000.1,
  mtimeMs: 1318289051000.1,
  ctimeMs: 1318289051000.1,
  birthtimeMs: 1318289051000.1,
  atime: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:24:11 GMT,
  mtime: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:24:11 GMT,
  ctime: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:24:11 GMT,
  birthtime: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:24:11 GMT }
```

*Note*: `atimeMs`, `mtimeMs`, `ctimeMs`, `birthtimeMs` are [numbers][MDN-Number]
that hold the corresponding times in milliseconds. Their precision is platform
specific. `atime`, `mtime`, `ctime`, and `birthtime` are [`Date`][MDN-Date]
object alternate representations of the various times. The `Date` and number
values are not connected. Assigning a new number value, or mutating the `Date`
value, will not be reflected in the corresponding alternate representation.


### Stat Time Values

The times in the stat object have the following semantics:

* `atime` "Access Time" - Time when file data last accessed.  Changed
  by the mknod(2), utimes(2), and read(2) system calls.
* `mtime` "Modified Time" - Time when file data last modified.
  Changed by the mknod(2), utimes(2), and write(2) system calls.
* `ctime` "Change Time" - Time when file status was last changed
  (inode data modification).  Changed by the chmod(2), chown(2),
  link(2), mknod(2), rename(2), unlink(2), utimes(2),
  read(2), and write(2) system calls.
* `birthtime` "Birth Time" -  Time of file creation. Set once when the
  file is created.  On filesystems where birthtime is not available,
  this field may instead hold either the `ctime` or
  `1970-01-01T00:00Z` (ie, unix epoch timestamp `0`). Note that this
  value may be greater than `atime` or `mtime` in this case. On Darwin
  and other FreeBSD variants, also set if the `atime` is explicitly
  set to an earlier value than the current `birthtime` using the
  utimes(2) system call.

Prior to Node v0.12, the `ctime` held the `birthtime` on Windows
systems.  Note that as of v0.12, `ctime` is not "creation time", and
on Unix systems, it never was.

## Class: fs.WriteStream


`WriteStream` is a [Writable Stream][].

### Event: 'close'


Emitted when the `WriteStream`'s underlying file descriptor has been closed.

### Event: 'open'


* `fd` {integer} Integer file descriptor used by the WriteStream.

Emitted when the WriteStream's file is opened.

### writeStream.bytesWritten


The number of bytes written so far. Does not include data that is still queued
for writing.

### writeStream.path


The path to the file the stream is writing to as specified in the first
argument to `fs.createWriteStream()`. If `path` is passed as a string, then
`writeStream.path` will be a string. If `path` is passed as a `Buffer`, then
`writeStream.path` will be a `Buffer`.

## fs.access(path[, mode], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `fs.constants.F_OK`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Tests a user's permissions for the file or directory specified by `path`.
The `mode` argument is an optional integer that specifies the accessibility
checks to be performed. The following constants define the possible values of
`mode`. It is possible to create a mask consisting of the bitwise OR of two or
more values (e.g. `fs.constants.W_OK | fs.constants.R_OK`).

* `fs.constants.F_OK` - `path` is visible to the calling process. This is useful
for determining if a file exists, but says nothing about `rwx` permissions.
Default if no `mode` is specified.
* `fs.constants.R_OK` - `path` can be read by the calling process.
* `fs.constants.W_OK` - `path` can be written by the calling process.
* `fs.constants.X_OK` - `path` can be executed by the calling process. This has
no effect on Windows (will behave like `fs.constants.F_OK`).

The final argument, `callback`, is a callback function that is invoked with
a possible error argument. If any of the accessibility checks fail, the error
argument will be an `Error` object. The following example checks if the file
`/etc/passwd` can be read and written by the current process.

```js
fs.access('/etc/passwd', fs.constants.R_OK | fs.constants.W_OK, (err) => {
  console.log(err ? 'no access!' : 'can read/write');
});
```

Using `fs.access()` to check for the accessibility of a file before calling
`fs.open()`, `fs.readFile()` or `fs.writeFile()` is not recommended. Doing
so introduces a race condition, since other processes may change the file's
state between the two calls. Instead, user code should open/read/write the
file directly and handle the error raised if the file is not accessible.

For example:


**write (NOT RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.access('myfile', (err) => {
  if (!err) {
    console.error('myfile already exists');
    return;
  }

  fs.open('myfile', 'wx', (err, fd) => {
    if (err) throw err;
    writeMyData(fd);
  });
});
```

**write (RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.open('myfile', 'wx', (err, fd) => {
  if (err) {
    if (err.code === 'EEXIST') {
      console.error('myfile already exists');
      return;
    }

    throw err;
  }

  writeMyData(fd);
});
```

**read (NOT RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.access('myfile', (err) => {
  if (err) {
    if (err.code === 'ENOENT') {
      console.error('myfile does not exist');
      return;
    }

    throw err;
  }

  fs.open('myfile', 'r', (err, fd) => {
    if (err) throw err;
    readMyData(fd);
  });
});
```

**read (RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.open('myfile', 'r', (err, fd) => {
  if (err) {
    if (err.code === 'ENOENT') {
      console.error('myfile does not exist');
      return;
    }

    throw err;
  }

  readMyData(fd);
});
```

The "not recommended" examples above check for accessibility and then use the
file; the "recommended" examples are better because they use the file directly
and handle the error, if any.

In general, check for the accessibility of a file only if the file will not be
used directly, for example when its accessibility is a signal from another
process.

## fs.accessSync(path[, mode])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `fs.constants.F_OK`
* Returns: `undefined`

Synchronously tests a user's permissions for the file or directory specified by
`path`. The `mode` argument is an optional integer that specifies the
accessibility checks to be performed. The following constants define the
possible values of `mode`. It is possible to create a mask consisting of the
bitwise OR of two or more values (e.g. `fs.constants.W_OK | fs.constants.R_OK`).

* `fs.constants.F_OK` - `path` is visible to the calling process. This is useful
for determining if a file exists, but says nothing about `rwx` permissions.
Default if no `mode` is specified.
* `fs.constants.R_OK` - `path` can be read by the calling process.
* `fs.constants.W_OK` - `path` can be written by the calling process.
* `fs.constants.X_OK` - `path` can be executed by the calling process. This has
no effect on Windows (will behave like `fs.constants.F_OK`).

If any of the accessibility checks fail, an `Error` will be thrown. Otherwise,
the method will return `undefined`.

```js
try {
  fs.accessSync('etc/passwd', fs.constants.R_OK | fs.constants.W_OK);
  console.log('can read/write');
} catch (err) {
  console.error('no access!');
}
```

## fs.appendFile(file, data[, options], callback)


* `file` {string|Buffer|URL|number} filename or file descriptor
* `data` {string|Buffer}
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `'utf8'`
  * `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'a'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronously append data to a file, creating the file if it does not yet
exist. `data` can be a string or a [`Buffer`][].

Example:

```js
fs.appendFile('message.txt', 'data to append', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log('The "data to append" was appended to file!');
});
```

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding. Example:

```js
fs.appendFile('message.txt', 'data to append', 'utf8', callback);
```

The `file` may be specified as a numeric file descriptor that has been opened
for appending (using `fs.open()` or `fs.openSync()`). The file descriptor will
not be closed automatically.

```js
fs.open('message.txt', 'a', (err, fd) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  fs.appendFile(fd, 'data to append', 'utf8', (err) => {
    fs.close(fd, (err) => {
      if (err) throw err;
    });
    if (err) throw err;
  });
});
```

## fs.appendFileSync(file, data[, options])


* `file` {string|Buffer|URL|number} filename or file descriptor
* `data` {string|Buffer}
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `'utf8'`
  * `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'a'`

Synchronously append data to a file, creating the file if it does not yet
exist. `data` can be a string or a [`Buffer`][].

Example:

```js
try {
  fs.appendFileSync('message.txt', 'data to append');
  console.log('The "data to append" was appended to file!');
} catch (err) {
  /* Handle the error */
}
```

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding. Example:

```js
fs.appendFileSync('message.txt', 'data to append', 'utf8');
```

The `file` may be specified as a numeric file descriptor that has been opened
for appending (using `fs.open()` or `fs.openSync()`). The file descriptor will
not be closed automatically.

```js
let fd;

try {
  fd = fs.openSync('message.txt', 'a');
  fs.appendFileSync(fd, 'data to append', 'utf8');
} catch (err) {
  /* Handle the error */
} finally {
  if (fd !== undefined)
    fs.closeSync(fd);
}
```

## fs.chmod(path, mode, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronously changes the permissions of a file. No arguments other than a
possible exception are given to the completion callback.

See also: chmod(2)

### File modes

The `mode` argument used in both the `fs.chmod()` and `fs.chmodSync()`
methods is a numeric bitmask created using a logical OR of the following
constants:

|       Constant         |  Octal  | Description              |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ------------------------ |
| `fs.constants.S_IRUSR` | `0o400` | read by owner            |
| `fs.constants.S_IWUSR` | `0o200` | write by owner           |
| `fs.constants.S_IXUSR` | `0o100` | execute/search by owner  |
| `fs.constants.S_IRGRP` | `0o40`  | read by group            |
| `fs.constants.S_IWGRP` | `0o20`  | write by group           |
| `fs.constants.S_IXGRP` | `0o10`  | execute/search by group  |
| `fs.constants.S_IROTH` | `0o4`   | read by others           |
| `fs.constants.S_IWOTH` | `0o2`   | write by others          |
| `fs.constants.S_IXOTH` | `0o1`   | execute/search by others |

An easier method of constructing the `mode` is to use a sequence of three
octal digits (e.g. `765`). The left-most digit (`7` in the example), specifies
the permissions for the file owner. The middle digit (`6` in the example),
specifies permissions for the group. The right-most digit (`5` in the example),
specifies the permissions for others.

| Number  |       Description        |
| ------- | ------------------------ |
|   `7`   | read, write, and execute |
|   `6`   | read and write           |
|   `5`   | read and execute         |
|   `4`   | read only                |
|   `3`   | write and execute        |
|   `2`   | write only               |
|   `1`   | execute only             |
|   `0`   | no permission            |

For example, the octal value `0o765` means:

* The owner may read, write and execute the file.
* The group may read and write the file.
* Others may read and execute the file.

## fs.chmodSync(path, mode)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer}

Synchronously changes the permissions of a file. Returns `undefined`.
This is the synchronous version of [`fs.chmod()`][].

See also: chmod(2)

## fs.chown(path, uid, gid, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronously changes owner and group of a file. No arguments other than a
possible exception are given to the completion callback.

See also: chown(2)

## fs.chownSync(path, uid, gid)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}

Synchronously changes owner and group of a file. Returns `undefined`.
This is the synchronous version of [`fs.chown()`][].

See also: chown(2)

## fs.close(fd, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous close(2).  No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.closeSync(fd)


* `fd` {integer}

Synchronous close(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.constants

Returns an object containing commonly used constants for file system
operations. The specific constants currently defined are described in
[FS Constants][].

## fs.copyFile(src, dest[, flags], callback)


* `src` {string|Buffer|URL} source filename to copy
* `dest` {string|Buffer|URL} destination filename of the copy operation
* `flags` {number} modifiers for copy operation. **Default:** `0`
* `callback` {Function}

Asynchronously copies `src` to `dest`. By default, `dest` is overwritten if it
already exists. No arguments other than a possible exception are given to the
callback function. Node.js makes no guarantees about the atomicity of the copy
operation. If an error occurs after the destination file has been opened for
writing, Node.js will attempt to remove the destination.

`flags` is an optional integer that specifies the behavior
of the copy operation. The only supported flag is `fs.constants.COPYFILE_EXCL`,
which causes the copy operation to fail if `dest` already exists.

Example:

```js
const fs = require('fs');

// destination.txt will be created or overwritten by default.
fs.copyFile('source.txt', 'destination.txt', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log('source.txt was copied to destination.txt');
});
```

If the third argument is a number, then it specifies `flags`, as shown in the
following example.

```js
const fs = require('fs');
const { COPYFILE_EXCL } = fs.constants;

// By using COPYFILE_EXCL, the operation will fail if destination.txt exists.
fs.copyFile('source.txt', 'destination.txt', COPYFILE_EXCL, callback);
```

## fs.copyFileSync(src, dest[, flags])


* `src` {string|Buffer|URL} source filename to copy
* `dest` {string|Buffer|URL} destination filename of the copy operation
* `flags` {number} modifiers for copy operation. **Default:** `0`

Synchronously copies `src` to `dest`. By default, `dest` is overwritten if it
already exists. Returns `undefined`. Node.js makes no guarantees about the
atomicity of the copy operation. If an error occurs after the destination file
has been opened for writing, Node.js will attempt to remove the destination.

`flags` is an optional integer that specifies the behavior
of the copy operation. The only supported flag is `fs.constants.COPYFILE_EXCL`,
which causes the copy operation to fail if `dest` already exists.

Example:

```js
const fs = require('fs');

// destination.txt will be created or overwritten by default.
fs.copyFileSync('source.txt', 'destination.txt');
console.log('source.txt was copied to destination.txt');
```

If the third argument is a number, then it specifies `flags`, as shown in the
following example.

```js
const fs = require('fs');
const { COPYFILE_EXCL } = fs.constants;

// By using COPYFILE_EXCL, the operation will fail if destination.txt exists.
fs.copyFileSync('source.txt', 'destination.txt', COPYFILE_EXCL);
```

## fs.createReadStream(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `flags` {string}
  * `encoding` {string}
  * `fd` {integer}
  * `mode` {integer}
  * `autoClose` {boolean}
  * `start` {integer}
  * `end` {integer}
  * `highWaterMark` {integer}

Returns a new [`ReadStream`][] object. (See [Readable Stream][]).

Be aware that, unlike the default value set for `highWaterMark` on a
readable stream (16 kb), the stream returned by this method has a
default value of 64 kb for the same parameter.

`options` is an object or string with the following defaults:

```js
const defaults = {
  flags: 'r',
  encoding: null,
  fd: null,
  mode: 0o666,
  autoClose: true,
  highWaterMark: 64 * 1024
};
```

`options` can include `start` and `end` values to read a range of bytes from
the file instead of the entire file.  Both `start` and `end` are inclusive and
start counting at 0. If `fd` is specified and `start` is omitted or `undefined`,
`fs.createReadStream()` reads sequentially from the current file position.
The `encoding` can be any one of those accepted by [`Buffer`][].

If `fd` is specified, `ReadStream` will ignore the `path` argument and will use
the specified file descriptor. This means that no `'open'` event will be
emitted. Note that `fd` should be blocking; non-blocking `fd`s should be passed
to [`net.Socket`][].

If `autoClose` is false, then the file descriptor won't be closed, even if
there's an error. It is the application's responsibility to close it and make
sure there's no file descriptor leak. If `autoClose` is set to true (default
behavior), on `error` or `end` the file descriptor will be closed
automatically.

`mode` sets the file mode (permission and sticky bits), but only if the
file was created.

An example to read the last 10 bytes of a file which is 100 bytes long:

```js
fs.createReadStream('sample.txt', { start: 90, end: 99 });
```

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding.

## fs.createWriteStream(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `flags` {string}
  * `encoding` {string}
  * `fd` {integer}
  * `mode` {integer}
  * `autoClose` {boolean}
  * `start` {integer}

Returns a new [`WriteStream`][] object. (See [Writable Stream][]).

`options` is an object or string with the following defaults:

```js
const defaults = {
  flags: 'w',
  encoding: 'utf8',
  fd: null,
  mode: 0o666,
  autoClose: true
};
```

`options` may also include a `start` option to allow writing data at
some position past the beginning of the file.  Modifying a file rather
than replacing it may require a `flags` mode of `r+` rather than the
default mode `w`. The `encoding` can be any one of those accepted by
[`Buffer`][].

If `autoClose` is set to true (default behavior) on `error` or `end`
the file descriptor will be closed automatically. If `autoClose` is false,
then the file descriptor won't be closed, even if there's an error.
It is the application's responsibility to close it and make sure there's no
file descriptor leak.

Like [`ReadStream`][], if `fd` is specified, `WriteStream` will ignore the
`path` argument and will use the specified file descriptor. This means that no
`'open'` event will be emitted. Note that `fd` should be blocking; non-blocking
`fd`s should be passed to [`net.Socket`][].

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding.

## fs.exists(path, callback)


> Stability: 0 - Deprecated: Use [`fs.stat()`][] or [`fs.access()`][] instead.

* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `exists` {boolean}

Test whether or not the given path exists by checking with the file system.
Then call the `callback` argument with either true or false.  Example:

```js
fs.exists('/etc/passwd', (exists) => {
  console.log(exists ? 'it\'s there' : 'no passwd!');
});
```

**Note that the parameter to this callback is not consistent with other
Node.js callbacks.** Normally, the first parameter to a Node.js callback is
an `err` parameter, optionally followed by other parameters. The
`fs.exists()` callback has only one boolean parameter. This is one reason
`fs.access()` is recommended instead of `fs.exists()`.

Using `fs.exists()` to check for the existence of a file before calling
`fs.open()`, `fs.readFile()` or `fs.writeFile()` is not recommended. Doing
so introduces a race condition, since other processes may change the file's
state between the two calls. Instead, user code should open/read/write the
file directly and handle the error raised if the file does not exist.

For example:

**write (NOT RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.exists('myfile', (exists) => {
  if (exists) {
    console.error('myfile already exists');
  } else {
    fs.open('myfile', 'wx', (err, fd) => {
      if (err) throw err;
      writeMyData(fd);
    });
  }
});
```

**write (RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.open('myfile', 'wx', (err, fd) => {
  if (err) {
    if (err.code === 'EEXIST') {
      console.error('myfile already exists');
      return;
    }

    throw err;
  }

  writeMyData(fd);
});
```

**read (NOT RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.exists('myfile', (exists) => {
  if (exists) {
    fs.open('myfile', 'r', (err, fd) => {
      readMyData(fd);
    });
  } else {
    console.error('myfile does not exist');
  }
});
```

**read (RECOMMENDED)**

```js
fs.open('myfile', 'r', (err, fd) => {
  if (err) {
    if (err.code === 'ENOENT') {
      console.error('myfile does not exist');
      return;
    }

    throw err;
  }

  readMyData(fd);
});
```

The "not recommended" examples above check for existence and then use the
file; the "recommended" examples are better because they use the file directly
and handle the error, if any.

In general, check for the existence of a file only if the file won’t be
used directly, for example when its existence is a signal from another
process.

## fs.existsSync(path)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous version of [`fs.exists()`][].
Returns `true` if the path exists, `false` otherwise.

Note that `fs.exists()` is deprecated, but `fs.existsSync()` is not.
(The `callback` parameter to `fs.exists()` accepts parameters that are
inconsistent with other Node.js callbacks. `fs.existsSync()` does not use
a callback.)

## fs.fchmod(fd, mode, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `mode` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous fchmod(2). No arguments other than a possible exception
are given to the completion callback.

## fs.fchmodSync(fd, mode)


* `fd` {integer}
* `mode` {integer}

Synchronous fchmod(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.fchown(fd, uid, gid, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous fchown(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.fchownSync(fd, uid, gid)


* `fd` {integer}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}

Synchronous fchown(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.fdatasync(fd, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous fdatasync(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are
given to the completion callback.

## fs.fdatasyncSync(fd)


* `fd` {integer}

Synchronous fdatasync(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.fstat(fd, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `stats` {fs.Stats}

Asynchronous fstat(2). The callback gets two arguments `(err, stats)` where
`stats` is an [`fs.Stats`][] object. `fstat()` is identical to [`stat()`][],
except that the file to be stat-ed is specified by the file descriptor `fd`.

## fs.fstatSync(fd)


* `fd` {integer}

Synchronous fstat(2). Returns an instance of [`fs.Stats`][].

## fs.fsync(fd, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous fsync(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.fsyncSync(fd)


* `fd` {integer}

Synchronous fsync(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.ftruncate(fd[, len], callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `len` {integer} **Default:** `0`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous ftruncate(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are
given to the completion callback.

If the file referred to by the file descriptor was larger than `len` bytes, only
the first `len` bytes will be retained in the file.

For example, the following program retains only the first four bytes of the file

```js
console.log(fs.readFileSync('temp.txt', 'utf8'));
// Prints: Node.js

// get the file descriptor of the file to be truncated
const fd = fs.openSync('temp.txt', 'r+');

// truncate the file to first four bytes
fs.ftruncate(fd, 4, (err) => {
  assert.ifError(err);
  console.log(fs.readFileSync('temp.txt', 'utf8'));
});
// Prints: Node
```

If the file previously was shorter than `len` bytes, it is extended, and the
extended part is filled with null bytes ('\0'). For example,

```js
console.log(fs.readFileSync('temp.txt', 'utf8'));
// Prints: Node.js

// get the file descriptor of the file to be truncated
const fd = fs.openSync('temp.txt', 'r+');

// truncate the file to 10 bytes, whereas the actual size is 7 bytes
fs.ftruncate(fd, 10, (err) => {
  assert.ifError(err);
  console.log(fs.readFileSync('temp.txt'));
});
// Prints: <Buffer 4e 6f 64 65 2e 6a 73 00 00 00>
// ('Node.js\0\0\0' in UTF8)
```

The last three bytes are null bytes ('\0'), to compensate the over-truncation.

## fs.ftruncateSync(fd[, len])


* `fd` {integer}
* `len` {integer} **Default:** `0`

Synchronous ftruncate(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.futimes(fd, atime, mtime, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `atime` {number|string|Date}
* `mtime` {number|string|Date}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Change the file system timestamps of the object referenced by the supplied file
descriptor. See [`fs.utimes()`][].

*Note*: This function does not work on AIX versions before 7.1, it will return
the error `UV_ENOSYS`.

## fs.futimesSync(fd, atime, mtime)


* `fd` {integer}
* `atime` {integer}
* `mtime` {integer}

Synchronous version of [`fs.futimes()`][]. Returns `undefined`.

## fs.lchmod(path, mode, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous lchmod(2). No arguments other than a possible exception
are given to the completion callback.

Only available on macOS.

## fs.lchmodSync(path, mode)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer}

Synchronous lchmod(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.lchown(path, uid, gid, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous lchown(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.lchownSync(path, uid, gid)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `uid` {integer}
* `gid` {integer}

Synchronous lchown(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.link(existingPath, newPath, callback)


* `existingPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `newPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous link(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given to
the completion callback.

## fs.linkSync(existingPath, newPath)


* `existingPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `newPath` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous link(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.lstat(path, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `stats` {fs.Stats}

Asynchronous lstat(2). The callback gets two arguments `(err, stats)` where
`stats` is a [`fs.Stats`][] object. `lstat()` is identical to `stat()`,
except that if `path` is a symbolic link, then the link itself is stat-ed,
not the file that it refers to.

## fs.lstatSync(path)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous lstat(2). Returns an instance of [`fs.Stats`][].

## fs.mkdir(path[, mode], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o777`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronously creates a directory. No arguments other than a possible exception
are given to the completion callback. `mode` defaults to `0o777`.

See also: mkdir(2)

## fs.mkdirSync(path[, mode])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o777`

Synchronously creates a directory. Returns `undefined`.
This is the synchronous version of [`fs.mkdir()`][].

See also: mkdir(2)

## fs.mkdtemp(prefix[, options], callback)


* `prefix` {string}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `folder` {string}

Creates a unique temporary directory.

Generates six random characters to be appended behind a required
`prefix` to create a unique temporary directory.

The created folder path is passed as a string to the callback's second
parameter.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use.

Example:

```js
fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'foo-'), (err, folder) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(folder);
  // Prints: /tmp/foo-itXde2 or C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Temp\foo-itXde2
});
```

*Note*: The `fs.mkdtemp()` method will append the six randomly selected
characters directly to the `prefix` string. For instance, given a directory
`/tmp`, if the intention is to create a temporary directory *within* `/tmp`,
the `prefix` *must* end with a trailing platform-specific path separator
(`require('path').sep`).

```js
// The parent directory for the new temporary directory
const tmpDir = os.tmpdir();

// This method is *INCORRECT*:
fs.mkdtemp(tmpDir, (err, folder) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(folder);
  // Will print something similar to `/tmpabc123`.
  // Note that a new temporary directory is created
  // at the file system root rather than *within*
  // the /tmp directory.
});

// This method is *CORRECT*:
const { sep } = require('path');
fs.mkdtemp(`${tmpDir}${sep}`, (err, folder) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(folder);
  // Will print something similar to `/tmp/abc123`.
  // A new temporary directory is created within
  // the /tmp directory.
});
```

## fs.mkdtempSync(prefix[, options])


* `prefix` {string}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`

The synchronous version of [`fs.mkdtemp()`][]. Returns the created
folder path.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use.

## fs.open(path, flags[, mode], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `flags` {string|number}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `fd` {integer}

Asynchronous file open. See open(2). `flags` can be:

* `'r'` - Open file for reading.
An exception occurs if the file does not exist.

* `'r+'` - Open file for reading and writing.
An exception occurs if the file does not exist.

* `'rs+'` - Open file for reading and writing in synchronous mode. Instructs
  the operating system to bypass the local file system cache.

  This is primarily useful for opening files on NFS mounts as it allows skipping
  the potentially stale local cache. It has a very real impact on I/O
  performance so using this flag is not recommended unless it is needed.

  Note that this doesn't turn `fs.open()` into a synchronous blocking call.
  If synchronous operation is desired `fs.openSync()` should be used.

* `'w'` - Open file for writing.
The file is created (if it does not exist) or truncated (if it exists).

* `'wx'` - Like `'w'` but fails if `path` exists.

* `'w+'` - Open file for reading and writing.
The file is created (if it does not exist) or truncated (if it exists).

* `'wx+'` - Like `'w+'` but fails if `path` exists.

* `'a'` - Open file for appending.
The file is created if it does not exist.

* `'ax'` - Like `'a'` but fails if `path` exists.

* `'a+'` - Open file for reading and appending.
The file is created if it does not exist.

* `'ax+'` - Like `'a+'` but fails if `path` exists.

`mode` sets the file mode (permission and sticky bits), but only if the file was
created. It defaults to `0o666` (readable and writable).

The callback gets two arguments `(err, fd)`.

The exclusive flag `'x'` (`O_EXCL` flag in open(2)) ensures that `path` is newly
created. On POSIX systems, `path` is considered to exist even if it is a symlink
to a non-existent file. The exclusive flag may or may not work with network file
systems.

`flags` can also be a number as documented by open(2); commonly used constants
are available from `fs.constants`.  On Windows, flags are translated to
their equivalent ones where applicable, e.g. `O_WRONLY` to `FILE_GENERIC_WRITE`,
or `O_EXCL|O_CREAT` to `CREATE_NEW`, as accepted by CreateFileW.

On Linux, positional writes don't work when the file is opened in append mode.
The kernel ignores the position argument and always appends the data to
the end of the file.

*Note*: The behavior of `fs.open()` is platform-specific for some flags. As
such, opening a directory on macOS and Linux with the `'a+'` flag - see example
below - will return an error. In contrast, on Windows and FreeBSD, a file
descriptor will be returned.

```js
// macOS and Linux
fs.open('<directory>', 'a+', (err, fd) => {
  // => [Error: EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, open <directory>]
});

// Windows and FreeBSD
fs.open('<directory>', 'a+', (err, fd) => {
  // => null, <fd>
});
```

Some characters (`< > : " / \ | ? *`) are reserved under Windows as documented
by [Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces][]. Under NTFS, if the filename contains
a colon, Node.js will open a file system stream, as described by
[this MSDN page][MSDN-Using-Streams].

Functions based on `fs.open()` exhibit this behavior as well. eg.
`fs.writeFile()`, `fs.readFile()`, etc.

## fs.openSync(path, flags[, mode])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `flags` {string|number}
* `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`

Synchronous version of [`fs.open()`][]. Returns an integer representing the file
descriptor.

## fs.read(fd, buffer, offset, length, position, callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `buffer` {Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `offset` {integer}
* `length` {integer}
* `position` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `bytesRead` {integer}
  * `buffer` {Buffer}

Read data from the file specified by `fd`.

`buffer` is the buffer that the data will be written to.

`offset` is the offset in the buffer to start writing at.

`length` is an integer specifying the number of bytes to read.

`position` is an argument specifying where to begin reading from in the file.
If `position` is `null`, data will be read from the current file position,
and the file position will be updated.
If `position` is an integer, the file position will remain unchanged.

The callback is given the three arguments, `(err, bytesRead, buffer)`.

If this method is invoked as its [`util.promisify()`][]ed version, it returns
a Promise for an object with `bytesRead` and `buffer` properties.

## fs.readdir(path[, options], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `files` {string[]|Buffer[]}

Asynchronous readdir(3).  Reads the contents of a directory.
The callback gets two arguments `(err, files)` where `files` is an array of
the names of the files in the directory excluding `'.'` and `'..'`.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the filenames passed to the callback. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`,
the filenames returned will be passed as `Buffer` objects.

## fs.readdirSync(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`

Synchronous readdir(3). Returns an array of filenames excluding `'.'` and
`'..'`.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the filenames passed to the callback. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`,
the filenames returned will be passed as `Buffer` objects.

## fs.readFile(path[, options], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL|integer} filename or file descriptor
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `null`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'r'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `data` {string|Buffer}

Asynchronously reads the entire contents of a file. Example:

```js
fs.readFile('/etc/passwd', (err, data) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(data);
});
```

The callback is passed two arguments `(err, data)`, where `data` is the
contents of the file.

If no encoding is specified, then the raw buffer is returned.

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding. Example:

```js
fs.readFile('/etc/passwd', 'utf8', callback);
```
*Note*: When the path is a directory, the behavior of
`fs.readFile()` and [`fs.readFileSync()`][] is platform-specific. On macOS,
Linux, and Windows, an error will be returned. On FreeBSD, a representation
of the directory's contents will be returned.

```js
// macOS, Linux, and Windows
fs.readFile('<directory>', (err, data) => {
  // => [Error: EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, read <directory>]
});

//  FreeBSD
fs.readFile('<directory>', (err, data) => {
  // => null, <data>
});
```

Any specified file descriptor has to support reading.

*Note*: If a file descriptor is specified as the `path`, it will not be closed
automatically.

*Note*: `fs.readFile()` reads the entire file in a single threadpool request.
To minimize threadpool task length variation, prefer the partitioned APIs
`fs.read()` and `fs.createReadStream()` when reading files as part of
fulfilling a client request.

## fs.readFileSync(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL|integer} filename or file descriptor
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `null`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'r'`

Synchronous version of [`fs.readFile()`][]. Returns the contents of the `path`.

If the `encoding` option is specified then this function returns a
string. Otherwise it returns a buffer.

*Note*: Similar to [`fs.readFile()`][], when the path is a directory, the
behavior of `fs.readFileSync()` is platform-specific.

```js
// macOS, Linux, and Windows
fs.readFileSync('<directory>');
// => [Error: EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, read <directory>]

//  FreeBSD
fs.readFileSync('<directory>'); // => null, <data>
```

## fs.readlink(path[, options], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `linkString` {string|Buffer}

Asynchronous readlink(2). The callback gets two arguments `(err,
linkString)`.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the link path passed to the callback. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`,
the link path returned will be passed as a `Buffer` object.

## fs.readlinkSync(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`

Synchronous readlink(2). Returns the symbolic link's string value.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the link path passed to the callback. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`,
the link path returned will be passed as a `Buffer` object.

## fs.readSync(fd, buffer, offset, length, position)


* `fd` {integer}
* `buffer` {Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `offset` {integer}
* `length` {integer}
* `position` {integer}

Synchronous version of [`fs.read()`][]. Returns the number of `bytesRead`.

## fs.realpath(path[, options], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `resolvedPath` {string|Buffer}

Asynchronous realpath(3). The `callback` gets two arguments `(err,
resolvedPath)`. May use `process.cwd` to resolve relative paths.

Only paths that can be converted to UTF8 strings are supported.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the path passed to the callback. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`,
the path returned will be passed as a `Buffer` object.

*Note*: If `path` resolves to a socket or a pipe, the function will return a
system dependent name for that object.

## fs.realpathSync(path[, options])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `encoding` {string} **Default:** `'utf8'`

Synchronous realpath(3). Returns the resolved path.

Only paths that can be converted to UTF8 strings are supported.

The optional `options` argument can be a string specifying an encoding, or an
object with an `encoding` property specifying the character encoding to use for
the returned value. If the `encoding` is set to `'buffer'`, the path returned
will be passed as a `Buffer` object.

*Note*: If `path` resolves to a socket or a pipe, the function will return a
system dependent name for that object.

## fs.rename(oldPath, newPath, callback)


* `oldPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `newPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous rename(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.renameSync(oldPath, newPath)


* `oldPath` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `newPath` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous rename(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.rmdir(path, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous rmdir(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

*Note*: Using `fs.rmdir()` on a file (not a directory) results in an `ENOENT`
error on Windows and an `ENOTDIR` error on POSIX.

## fs.rmdirSync(path)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous rmdir(2). Returns `undefined`.

*Note*: Using `fs.rmdirSync()` on a file (not a directory) results in an `ENOENT`
error on Windows and an `ENOTDIR` error on POSIX.

## fs.stat(path, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `stats` {fs.Stats}

Asynchronous stat(2). The callback gets two arguments `(err, stats)` where
`stats` is an [`fs.Stats`][] object.

In case of an error, the `err.code` will be one of [Common System Errors][].

Using `fs.stat()` to check for the existence of a file before calling
`fs.open()`, `fs.readFile()` or `fs.writeFile()` is not recommended.
Instead, user code should open/read/write the file directly and handle the
error raised if the file is not available.

To check if a file exists without manipulating it afterwards, [`fs.access()`]
is recommended.

## fs.statSync(path)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous stat(2). Returns an instance of [`fs.Stats`][].

## fs.symlink(target, path[, type], callback)


* `target` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `type` {string} **Default:** `'file'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous symlink(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback. The `type` argument can be set to `'dir'`,
`'file'`, or `'junction'` (default is `'file'`) and is only available on
Windows (ignored on other platforms). Note that Windows junction points require
the destination path to be absolute. When using `'junction'`, the `target`
argument will automatically be normalized to absolute path.

Here is an example below:

```js
fs.symlink('./foo', './new-port', callback);
```

It creates a symbolic link named "new-port" that points to "foo".

## fs.symlinkSync(target, path[, type])


* `target` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `type` {string} **Default:** `'file'`

Synchronous symlink(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.truncate(path[, len], callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `len` {integer} **Default:** `0`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous truncate(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are
given to the completion callback. A file descriptor can also be passed as the
first argument. In this case, `fs.ftruncate()` is called.

## fs.truncateSync(path[, len])


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `len` {integer} **Default:** `0`

Synchronous truncate(2). Returns `undefined`. A file descriptor can also be
passed as the first argument. In this case, `fs.ftruncateSync()` is called.

## fs.unlink(path, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronous unlink(2). No arguments other than a possible exception are given
to the completion callback.

## fs.unlinkSync(path)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}

Synchronous unlink(2). Returns `undefined`.

## fs.unwatchFile(filename[, listener])


* `filename` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `listener` {Function} Optional, a listener previously attached using
  `fs.watchFile()`

Stop watching for changes on `filename`. If `listener` is specified, only that
particular listener is removed. Otherwise, *all* listeners are removed,
effectively stopping watching of `filename`.

Calling `fs.unwatchFile()` with a filename that is not being watched is a
no-op, not an error.

*Note*: [`fs.watch()`][] is more efficient than `fs.watchFile()` and
`fs.unwatchFile()`.  `fs.watch()` should be used instead of `fs.watchFile()`
and `fs.unwatchFile()` when possible.

## fs.utimes(path, atime, mtime, callback)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `atime` {number|string|Date}
* `mtime` {number|string|Date}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Change the file system timestamps of the object referenced by `path`.

The `atime` and `mtime` arguments follow these rules:
- Values can be either numbers representing Unix epoch time, `Date`s, or a
  numeric string like `'123456789.0'`.
- If the value can not be converted to a number, or is `NaN`, `Infinity` or
  `-Infinity`, a `Error` will be thrown.

## fs.utimesSync(path, atime, mtime)


* `path` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `atime` {integer}
* `mtime` {integer}

Synchronous version of [`fs.utimes()`][]. Returns `undefined`.

## fs.watch(filename[, options][, listener])


* `filename` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {string|Object}
  * `persistent` {boolean} Indicates whether the process should continue to run
    as long as files are being watched. **Default:** `true`
  * `recursive` {boolean} Indicates whether all subdirectories should be
    watched, or only the current directory. This applies when a directory is
    specified, and only on supported platforms (See [Caveats][]). **Default:**
    `false`
  * `encoding` {string} Specifies the character encoding to be used for the
     filename passed to the listener. **Default:** `'utf8'`
* `listener` {Function|undefined} **Default:** `undefined`
  * `eventType` {string}
  * `filename` {string|Buffer}

Watch for changes on `filename`, where `filename` is either a file or a
directory.  The returned object is a [`fs.FSWatcher`][].

The second argument is optional. If `options` is provided as a string, it
specifies the `encoding`. Otherwise `options` should be passed as an object.

The listener callback gets two arguments `(eventType, filename)`.  `eventType` is either
`'rename'` or `'change'`, and `filename` is the name of the file which triggered
the event.

Note that on most platforms, `'rename'` is emitted whenever a filename appears
or disappears in the directory.

Also note the listener callback is attached to the `'change'` event fired by
[`fs.FSWatcher`][], but it is not the same thing as the `'change'` value of
`eventType`.

### Caveats



The `fs.watch` API is not 100% consistent across platforms, and is
unavailable in some situations.

The recursive option is only supported on macOS and Windows.

#### Availability



This feature depends on the underlying operating system providing a way
to be notified of filesystem changes.

* On Linux systems, this uses [`inotify`]
* On BSD systems, this uses [`kqueue`]
* On macOS, this uses [`kqueue`] for files and [`FSEvents`] for directories.
* On SunOS systems (including Solaris and SmartOS), this uses [`event ports`].
* On Windows systems, this feature depends on [`ReadDirectoryChangesW`].
* On Aix systems, this feature depends on [`AHAFS`], which must be enabled.

If the underlying functionality is not available for some reason, then
`fs.watch` will not be able to function. For example, watching files or
directories can be unreliable, and in some cases impossible, on network file
systems (NFS, SMB, etc), or host file systems when using virtualization software
such as Vagrant, Docker, etc.

It is still possible to use `fs.watchFile()`, which uses stat polling, but
this method is slower and less reliable.

#### Inodes



On Linux and macOS systems, `fs.watch()` resolves the path to an [inode][] and
watches the inode. If the watched path is deleted and recreated, it is assigned
a new inode. The watch will emit an event for the delete but will continue
watching the *original* inode. Events for the new inode will not be emitted.
This is expected behavior.

AIX files retain the same inode for the lifetime of a file. Saving and closing a
watched file on AIX will result in two notifications (one for adding new
content, and one for truncation).

#### Filename Argument



Providing `filename` argument in the callback is only supported on Linux,
macOS, Windows, and AIX.  Even on supported platforms, `filename` is not always
guaranteed to be provided. Therefore, don't assume that `filename` argument is
always provided in the callback, and have some fallback logic if it is null.

```js
fs.watch('somedir', (eventType, filename) => {
  console.log(`event type is: ${eventType}`);
  if (filename) {
    console.log(`filename provided: ${filename}`);
  } else {
    console.log('filename not provided');
  }
});
```

## fs.watchFile(filename[, options], listener)


* `filename` {string|Buffer|URL}
* `options` {Object}
  * `persistent` {boolean} **Default:** `true`
  * `interval` {integer} **Default:** `5007`
* `listener` {Function}
  * `current` {fs.Stats}
  * `previous` {fs.Stats}

Watch for changes on `filename`. The callback `listener` will be called each
time the file is accessed.

The `options` argument may be omitted. If provided, it should be an object. The
`options` object may contain a boolean named `persistent` that indicates
whether the process should continue to run as long as files are being watched.
The `options` object may specify an `interval` property indicating how often the
target should be polled in milliseconds. The default is
`{ persistent: true, interval: 5007 }`.

The `listener` gets two arguments the current stat object and the previous
stat object:

```js
fs.watchFile('message.text', (curr, prev) => {
  console.log(`the current mtime is: ${curr.mtime}`);
  console.log(`the previous mtime was: ${prev.mtime}`);
});
```

These stat objects are instances of `fs.Stat`.

To be notified when the file was modified, not just accessed, it is necessary
to compare `curr.mtime` and `prev.mtime`.

*Note*: When an `fs.watchFile` operation results in an `ENOENT` error, it
will invoke the listener once, with all the fields zeroed (or, for dates, the
Unix Epoch). In Windows, `blksize` and `blocks` fields will be `undefined`,
instead of zero. If the file is created later on, the listener will be called
again, with the latest stat objects. This is a change in functionality since
v0.10.

*Note*: [`fs.watch()`][] is more efficient than `fs.watchFile` and
`fs.unwatchFile`. `fs.watch` should be used instead of `fs.watchFile` and
`fs.unwatchFile` when possible.

*Note:* When a file being watched by `fs.watchFile()` disappears and reappears,
then the `previousStat` reported in the second callback event (the file's
reappearance) will be the same as the `previousStat` of the first callback
event (its disappearance).

This happens when:
- the file is deleted, followed by a restore
- the file is renamed twice - the second time back to its original name

## fs.write(fd, buffer[, offset[, length[, position]]], callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `buffer` {Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `offset` {integer}
* `length` {integer}
* `position` {integer}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `bytesWritten` {integer}
  * `buffer` {Buffer|Uint8Array}

Write `buffer` to the file specified by `fd`.

`offset` determines the part of the buffer to be written, and `length` is
an integer specifying the number of bytes to write.

`position` refers to the offset from the beginning of the file where this data
should be written. If `typeof position !== 'number'`, the data will be written
at the current position. See pwrite(2).

The callback will be given three arguments `(err, bytesWritten, buffer)` where
`bytesWritten` specifies how many _bytes_ were written from `buffer`.

If this method is invoked as its [`util.promisify()`][]ed version, it returns
a Promise for an object with `bytesWritten` and `buffer` properties.

Note that it is unsafe to use `fs.write` multiple times on the same file
without waiting for the callback. For this scenario,
`fs.createWriteStream` is strongly recommended.

On Linux, positional writes don't work when the file is opened in append mode.
The kernel ignores the position argument and always appends the data to
the end of the file.

## fs.write(fd, string[, position[, encoding]], callback)


* `fd` {integer}
* `string` {string}
* `position` {integer}
* `encoding` {string}
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}
  * `written` {integer}
  * `string` {string}

Write `string` to the file specified by `fd`.  If `string` is not a string, then
the value will be coerced to one.

`position` refers to the offset from the beginning of the file where this data
should be written. If `typeof position !== 'number'` the data will be written at
the current position. See pwrite(2).

`encoding` is the expected string encoding.

The callback will receive the arguments `(err, written, string)` where `written`
specifies how many _bytes_ the passed string required to be written. Note that
bytes written is not the same as string characters. See [`Buffer.byteLength`][].

Unlike when writing `buffer`, the entire string must be written. No substring
may be specified. This is because the byte offset of the resulting data may not
be the same as the string offset.

Note that it is unsafe to use `fs.write` multiple times on the same file
without waiting for the callback. For this scenario,
`fs.createWriteStream` is strongly recommended.

On Linux, positional writes don't work when the file is opened in append mode.
The kernel ignores the position argument and always appends the data to
the end of the file.

## fs.writeFile(file, data[, options], callback)


* `file` {string|Buffer|URL|integer} filename or file descriptor
* `data` {string|Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `'utf8'`
  * `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'w'`
* `callback` {Function}
  * `err` {Error}

Asynchronously writes data to a file, replacing the file if it already exists.
`data` can be a string or a buffer.

The `encoding` option is ignored if `data` is a buffer. It defaults
to `'utf8'`.

Example:

```js
fs.writeFile('message.txt', 'Hello Node.js', (err) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log('The file has been saved!');
});
```

If `options` is a string, then it specifies the encoding. Example:

```js
fs.writeFile('message.txt', 'Hello Node.js', 'utf8', callback);
```

Any specified file descriptor has to support writing.

Note that it is unsafe to use `fs.writeFile` multiple times on the same file
without waiting for the callback. For this scenario,
`fs.createWriteStream` is strongly recommended.

*Note*: If a file descriptor is specified as the `file`, it will not be closed
automatically.

## fs.writeFileSync(file, data[, options])


* `file` {string|Buffer|URL|integer} filename or file descriptor
* `data` {string|Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `options` {Object|string}
  * `encoding` {string|null} **Default:** `'utf8'`
  * `mode` {integer} **Default:** `0o666`
  * `flag` {string} **Default:** `'w'`

The synchronous version of [`fs.writeFile()`][]. Returns `undefined`.

## fs.writeSync(fd, buffer[, offset[, length[, position]]])


* `fd` {integer}
* `buffer` {Buffer|Uint8Array}
* `offset` {integer}
* `length` {integer}
* `position` {integer}

## fs.writeSync(fd, string[, position[, encoding]])


* `fd` {integer}
* `string` {string}
* `position` {integer}
* `encoding` {string}

Synchronous versions of [`fs.write()`][]. Returns the number of bytes written.

## FS Constants

The following constants are exported by `fs.constants`.

*Note*: Not every constant will be available on every operating system.

### File Access Constants

The following constants are meant for use with [`fs.access()`][].

     Constant
     Description

     F_OK
     Flag indicating that the file is visible to the calling process.

     R_OK
     Flag indicating that the file can be read by the calling process.

     W_OK
     Flag indicating that the file can be written by the calling
    process.

     X_OK
     Flag indicating that the file can be executed by the calling
    process.

### File Open Constants

The following constants are meant for use with `fs.open()`.

     Constant
     Description

     O_RDONLY
     Flag indicating to open a file for read-only access.

     O_WRONLY
     Flag indicating to open a file for write-only access.

     O_RDWR
     Flag indicating to open a file for read-write access.

     O_CREAT
     Flag indicating to create the file if it does not already exist.

     O_EXCL
     Flag indicating that opening a file should fail if the
    O_CREAT flag is set and the file already exists.

     O_NOCTTY
     Flag indicating that if path identifies a terminal device, opening the
    path shall not cause that terminal to become the controlling terminal for
    the process (if the process does not already have one).

     O_TRUNC
     Flag indicating that if the file exists and is a regular file, and the
    file is opened successfully for write access, its length shall be truncated
    to zero.

     O_APPEND
     Flag indicating that data will be appended to the end of the file.

     O_DIRECTORY
     Flag indicating that the open should fail if the path is not a
    directory.

   O_NOATIME
     Flag indicating reading accesses to the file system will no longer
    result in an update to the `atime` information associated with the file.
    This flag is available on Linux operating systems only.

     O_NOFOLLOW
     Flag indicating that the open should fail if the path is a symbolic
    link.

     O_SYNC
     Flag indicating that the file is opened for synchronized I/O with write
    operations waiting for file integrity.

     O_DSYNC
     Flag indicating that the file is opened for synchronized I/O with write
    operations waiting for data integrity.

     O_SYMLINK
     Flag indicating to open the symbolic link itself rather than the
    resource it is pointing to.

     O_DIRECT
     When set, an attempt will be made to minimize caching effects of file
    I/O.

     O_NONBLOCK
     Flag indicating to open the file in nonblocking mode when possible.

### File Type Constants

The following constants are meant for use with the [`fs.Stats`][] object's
`mode` property for determining a file's type.

     Constant
     Description

     S_IFMT
     Bit mask used to extract the file type code.

     S_IFREG
     File type constant for a regular file.

     S_IFDIR
     File type constant for a directory.

     S_IFCHR
     File type constant for a character-oriented device file.

     S_IFBLK
     File type constant for a block-oriented device file.

     S_IFIFO
     File type constant for a FIFO/pipe.

     S_IFLNK
     File type constant for a symbolic link.

     S_IFSOCK
     File type constant for a socket.

### File Mode Constants

The following constants are meant for use with the [`fs.Stats`][] object's
`mode` property for determining the access permissions for a file.

     Constant
     Description

     S_IRWXU
     File mode indicating readable, writable, and executable by owner.

     S_IRUSR
     File mode indicating readable by owner.

     S_IWUSR
     File mode indicating writable by owner.

     S_IXUSR
     File mode indicating executable by owner.

     S_IRWXG
     File mode indicating readable, writable, and executable by group.

     S_IRGRP
     File mode indicating readable by group.

     S_IWGRP
     File mode indicating writable by group.

     S_IXGRP
     File mode indicating executable by group.

     S_IRWXO
     File mode indicating readable, writable, and executable by others.

     S_IROTH
     File mode indicating readable by others.

     S_IWOTH
     File mode indicating writable by others.

     S_IXOTH
     File mode indicating executable by others.

[`AHAFS`]: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-aix_event_infrastructure/
[`Buffer.byteLength`]: buffer.html#buffer_class_method_buffer_bytelength_string_encoding
[`Buffer`]: buffer.html#buffer_buffer
[`FSEvents`]: https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Darwin/Conceptual/FSEvents_ProgGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005289-CH1-SW1
[`ReadDirectoryChangesW`]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365465%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
[`ReadStream`]: #fs_class_fs_readstream
[`URL`]: url.html#url_the_whatwg_url_api
[`UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE`]: cli.html#cli_uv_threadpool_size_size
[`WriteStream`]: #fs_class_fs_writestream
[`event ports`]: http://illumos.org/man/port_create
[`fs.FSWatcher`]: #fs_class_fs_fswatcher
[`fs.Stats`]: #fs_class_fs_stats
[`fs.access()`]: #fs_fs_access_path_mode_callback
[`fs.chmod()`]: #fs_fs_chmod_path_mode_callback
[`fs.chown()`]: #fs_fs_chown_path_uid_gid_callback
[`fs.exists()`]: fs.html#fs_fs_exists_path_callback
[`fs.fstat()`]: #fs_fs_fstat_fd_callback
[`fs.futimes()`]: #fs_fs_futimes_fd_atime_mtime_callback
[`fs.lstat()`]: #fs_fs_lstat_path_callback
[`fs.mkdir()`]: #fs_fs_mkdir_path_mode_callback
[`fs.mkdtemp()`]: #fs_fs_mkdtemp_prefix_options_callback
[`fs.open()`]: #fs_fs_open_path_flags_mode_callback
[`fs.read()`]: #fs_fs_read_fd_buffer_offset_length_position_callback
[`fs.readFile()`]: #fs_fs_readfile_path_options_callback
[`fs.readFileSync()`]: #fs_fs_readfilesync_path_options
[`fs.stat()`]: #fs_fs_stat_path_callback
[`fs.utimes()`]: #fs_fs_utimes_path_atime_mtime_callback
[`fs.watch()`]: #fs_fs_watch_filename_options_listener
[`fs.write()`]: #fs_fs_write_fd_buffer_offset_length_position_callback
[`fs.writeFile()`]: #fs_fs_writefile_file_data_options_callback
[`inotify`]: http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man7/inotify.7.html
[`kqueue`]: https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?kqueue
[`net.Socket`]: net.html#net_class_net_socket
[`stat()`]: fs.html#fs_fs_stat_path_callback
[`util.inspect(stats)`]: util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options
[`util.promisify()`]: util.html#util_util_promisify_original
[Caveats]: #fs_caveats
[Common System Errors]: errors.html#errors_common_system_errors
[FS Constants]: #fs_fs_constants_1
[MDN-Date]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Date
[MDN-Number]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Number_type
[MSDN-Rel-Path]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247.aspx#fully_qualified_vs._relative_paths
[Readable Stream]: stream.html#stream_class_stream_readable
[Writable Stream]: stream.html#stream_class_stream_writable
[inode]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inode
[Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247(v=vs.85).aspx
[MSDN-Using-Streams]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb540537.aspx
