Description: FileUtils is a module in Ruby that provides a series of methods for file and directory manipulation. This module is part of Ruby’s standard library and facilitates common tasks such as copying, deleting, creating, and renaming files. FileUtils stands out for its simplicity and efficiency, allowing developers to perform file operations intuitively and quickly. The methods it offers are easy to use and designed to be safe, meaning they handle errors appropriately, thus avoiding data loss or file corruption. Additionally, FileUtils is compatible with multiple platforms, making it a versatile tool for multi-platform application development. Its integration into the Ruby ecosystem allows programmers to focus on their application’s logic without worrying about the details of file manipulation, enhancing productivity and code quality.
Uses: FileUtils is primarily used in Ruby application development to efficiently perform file operations. It is commonly employed in automation scripts where file and directory manipulation is required, such as copying configuration files, creating backups, or organizing data. It is also used in web applications to manage files uploaded by users, allowing for their storage and manipulation on the server.
Examples: A practical example of FileUtils is using the ‘cp’ method to copy a file from one directory to another. For instance, ‘FileUtils.cp(‘source.txt’, ‘destination.txt’)’ copies the file ‘source.txt’ to ‘destination.txt’. Another common use is deleting an entire directory with ‘FileUtils.rm_rf(‘directory_to_delete’)’, which recursively removes the specified directory and its contents.
