![File Info PIC]](info.png)
Chapter 2. FilesWorking with files is an important part of any program. Files have characteristics - many of which are not visible from Java. In Hack 2.1, you will explore the information Windows provides about files in general. In addition, executable files such as DLLs and EXEs have embedded version information. You will learn how to access and use this information in Hack 2.2.
Files keep changing. They are created, deleted, renamed or modified. Hack 2.3 shows how your program can get notified when these file change events occur.
Wouldn't it be cool if your program could perform file operations using the same animation effects that Windows uses when copying, moving or deleting files? You can leverage the Shell APIs for this, as you'll see in Hack 2.4.
In Hack 2.5, we'll talk about deleting files - you'll see how you can send files to the Recycle Bin, or delete stubborn files that refuse to be deleted.
Integrating your Java program and its data with the Windows Shell can make a key difference between a polished Windows app and another run of the mill Java app. In Hack 2.6, you will see how you can register your own file type with Windows. You'd like your Java program to be associated with the new file type so it is launched automatically when users open your file. Hack 2.7 shows you can do this with a few registry tweaks.
![Copy Animation PIC]](copyAnim.png)
Finally, your Java program need not be restricted to the file types you define.
In Hack 2.8, we will show how you can add your command to the context menu of
existing file types. This way, your application could work with other registered
file types.