Package org.apache.commons.io.comparator

# Class CompositeFileComparator

java.lang.Object
org.apache.commons.io.comparator.CompositeFileComparator

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Serializable`, `Comparator<File>`

public class CompositeFileComparator extends Object implements Serializable
Compare two files using a set of delegate file `Comparator`.

This comparator can be used to sort lists or arrays of files by combining a number of other comparators.

Example of sorting a list of files by type (directory or file) and then by name:

           CompositeFileComparator comparator = new CompositeFileComparator(
               DirectoryFileComparator.DIRECTORY_COMPARATOR,
               NameFileComparator.NAME_COMPARATOR);
           List<File> list = ...
           comparator.sort(list);

## Deprecating Serialization

Serialization is deprecated and will be removed in 3.0.

Since:
  2.0
See Also:
  - Serialized Form

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Constructor
  Description
  `CompositeFileComparator(Iterable<Comparator<File>> delegates)`
  Constructs a composite comparator for the set of delegate comparators.
  `CompositeFileComparator(Comparator<File>... delegates)`
  Constructs a composite comparator for the set of delegate comparators.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `int`
  `compare(File file1, File file2)`
  Compares the two files using delegate comparators.
  `File[]`
  `sort(File... files)`
  Sorts an array of files.
  `List<File>`
  `sort(List<File> files)`
  Sorts a List of files.
  `String`
  `toString()`
  String representation of this file comparator.

  ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

  `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

  ### Methods inherited from interface java.util.Comparator

  `equals, reversed, thenComparing, thenComparing, thenComparing, thenComparingDouble, thenComparingInt, thenComparingLong`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### CompositeFileComparator

    public CompositeFileComparator(Comparator<File>... delegates)
    Constructs a composite comparator for the set of delegate comparators.
    Parameters:
      `delegates` - The delegate file comparators

  - ### CompositeFileComparator

    public CompositeFileComparator(Iterable<Comparator<File>> delegates)
    Constructs a composite comparator for the set of delegate comparators.
    Parameters:
      `delegates` - The delegate file comparators

- ## Method Details

  - ### compare

    public int compare(File file1, File file2)
    Compares the two files using delegate comparators.
    Specified by:
      `compare` in interface `Comparator<File>`
    Parameters:
      `file1` - The first file to compare
      `file2` - The second file to compare
    Returns:
      the first non-zero result returned from the delegate comparators or zero.

  - ### toString

    public String toString()
    String representation of this file comparator.
    Returns:
      String representation of this file comparator

  - ### sort

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

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

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

  - ### sort

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

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

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