FileCollection (Gradle API 2.9)
Date: 2015-11-17

Package: org.gradle.api.file

## [Java] Interface FileCollection

- org.gradle.api.tasks.AntBuilderAware

- All Superinterfaces:
    Buildable, AntBuilderAware

  A `FileCollection` represents a collection of files which you can query in certain ways. A file collection is often used to define a classpath, or to add files to a container.

  You can obtain a `FileCollection` instance using Project.files.

- - ### Nested Class Summary

    Nested classes
    Modifiers | Name | Description
    --- | --- | ---
    `enum` | `FileCollection.AntType` | Ant types which a `FileCollection` can be mapped to.

  - ### Methods Summary

    Methods
    Type | Name and description
    --- | ---
    `FileCollection` | `add(FileCollection collection)`
    `void` | `addToAntBuilder(Object builder, String nodeName, FileCollection.AntType type)`
    `Object` | `addToAntBuilder(Object builder, String nodeName)` Adds this collection to an Ant task as a nested node.
    `Object` | `asType(Class<?> type)`
    `boolean` | `contains(File file)` Determines whether this collection contains the given file.
    `FileCollection` | `filter(groovy.lang.Closure filterClosure)`
    `FileCollection` | `filter(Spec<? super File> filterSpec)`
    `FileTree` | `getAsFileTree()` Converts this collection to a FileTree.
    `String` | `getAsPath()` Returns the contents of this collection as a platform-specific path.
    `Set<File>` | `getFiles()` Returns the contents of this collection as a Set.
    `File` | `getSingleFile()` Returns the content of this collection, asserting it contains exactly one file.
    `boolean` | `isEmpty()` Returns true if this collection is empty.
    `FileCollection` | `minus(FileCollection collection)`
    `FileCollection` | `plus(FileCollection collection)`
    `FileCollection` | `stopExecutionIfEmpty()` Throws a StopExecutionException if this collection is empty.

  - ### Inherited Methods Summary

    Inherited Methods
    Methods inherited from class | Name
    --- | ---
    `interface AntBuilderAware` | `addToAntBuilder`
    `interface Buildable` | `getBuildDependencies`
    `interface Iterable` | `iterator`
    `class Object` | `wait, wait, wait, equals, toString, hashCode, getClass, notify, notifyAll`

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### public FileCollection add(FileCollection collection)

      Adds another collection to this collection. This is an optional operation.

      throws:
        UnsupportedOperationException When this collection does not allow modification.
      Parameters:
        `collection` - The collection to add.
      Returns:
        This

    - #### public void addToAntBuilder(Object builder, String nodeName, FileCollection.AntType type)

      A `FileCollection` represents a collection of files which you can query in certain ways. A file collection is often used to define a classpath, or to add files to a container.

      You can obtain a `FileCollection` instance using Project.files.

    - #### public Object addToAntBuilder(Object builder, String nodeName)

      Adds this collection to an Ant task as a nested node. Equivalent to calling `addToAntBuilder(builder, nodeName,AntType.ResourceCollection)`.

    - #### public Object asType(Class<?> type)

      Converts this collection into an object of the specified type. Supported types are: `Collection`, `List`, `Set`, `Object[]`, `File[]`, `File`, and FileTree.

      You can call this method in your build script using the `as` operator.

      throws:
        UnsupportedOperationException When an unsupported type is specified.
      Parameters:
        `type` - The type to convert to.
      Returns:
        The converted value.

    - #### public boolean contains(File file)

      Determines whether this collection contains the given file. Generally, this method is more efficient than calling `getFiles().contains(file)`.

      Parameters:
        `file` - The file to check for.
      Returns:
        true if this collection contains the given file, false otherwise.

    - #### public FileCollection filter(groovy.lang.Closure filterClosure)

      Restricts the contents of this collection to those files which match the given criteria. The filtered collection is live, so that it reflects any changes to this collection.

      The given closure is passed the File as a parameter, and should return a boolean value.

      Parameters:
        `filterClosure` - The closure to use to select the contents of the filtered collection.
      Returns:
        The filtered collection.

    - #### public FileCollection filter(Spec<? super File> filterSpec)

      Restricts the contents of this collection to those files which match the given criteria. The filtered collection is live, so that it reflects any changes to this collection.

      Parameters:
        `filterSpec` - The criteria to use to select the contents of the filtered collection.
      Returns:
        The filtered collection.

    - #### public FileTree getAsFileTree()

      Converts this collection to a FileTree. Generally, for each file in this collection, the resulting file tree will contain the source file at the root of the tree. For each directory in this collection, the resulting file tree will contain all the files under the source directory.

      Returns:
        this collection as a FileTree. Never returns null.

    - #### public String getAsPath()

      Returns the contents of this collection as a platform-specific path. This can be used, for example, in an Ant element.

      Returns:
        The path. Returns an empty string if this collection is empty.

    - #### public Set<File> getFiles()

      Returns the contents of this collection as a Set.

      Returns:
        The files. Returns an empty set if this collection is empty.

    - #### public File getSingleFile()

      Returns the content of this collection, asserting it contains exactly one file.

      throws:
        IllegalStateException when this collection does not contain exactly one file.
      Returns:
        The file.

    - #### public boolean isEmpty()

      Returns true if this collection is empty. Generally, calling this method is more efficient than calling `getFiles().isEmpty()`.

      Returns:
        true if this collection is empty, false otherwise.

    - #### public FileCollection minus(FileCollection collection)

      Returns a `FileCollection` which contains the intersection of this collection and the given collection. The returned collection is live, and tracks changes to both source collections.

      You can call this method in your build script using the `-` operator.

      Parameters:
        `collection` - The other collection. Should not be null.
      Returns:
        A new collection containing the intersection.

    - #### public FileCollection plus(FileCollection collection)

      Returns a `FileCollection` which contains the union of this collection and the given collection. The returned collection is live, and tracks changes to both source collections.

      You can call this method in your build script using the `+` operator.

      Parameters:
        `collection` - The other collection. Should not be null.
      Returns:
        A new collection containing the union.

    - #### public FileCollection stopExecutionIfEmpty()

      Throws a StopExecutionException if this collection is empty.

      throws:
        StopExecutionException When this collection is empty.
      Returns:
        this