GFile

GFile is a central abstraction in the GLib library’s GIO module that represents a file or directory location without tying the code to a specific filesystem. A GFile refers to a resource by a URI or a path and can point to local files, remote resources accessed through GVfs backends, or other virtual locations. It provides a uniform API for common file operations, metadata access, and stream-based I/O, enabling applications to work with diverse storage backends in a consistent way.

GFile objects are immutable and integrate with other GIO types such as GFileInfo, GFileEnumerator, GFileInputStream, GFileOutputStream, and GFileMonitor. Typical workflows include constructing a GFile with g_file_new_for_path or g_file_new_for_uri, querying metadata via g_file_query_info, and performing actions such as opening streams, copying or moving files, or monitoring for changes. Metadata queries use attribute strings like standard::size, time::modified, and content-type. Directory contents can be listed with a GFileEnumerator obtained through the appropriate enumeration functions. For changes, applications can create a GFileMonitor to receive events when a file is created, deleted, or modified.

GFile supports both synchronous and asynchronous interfaces to suit desktop and client applications. It is a core part of GNOME’s GIO library and is used by file managers, desktop services, and apps that need to access diverse storage backends in a uniform way.

See also:

- GIO

- GFileInfo

- GFileEnumerator

- GFileMonitor

- GFileInputStream

- GFileOutputStream