OutputStream Classes
Introduction
-
OutputStreamis an abstract class used to write byte-oriented data to output destinations like files, memory or network connections. -
It is present in
java.iopackage. -
It provides basic methods like
write()to send data to output destinations.
-
Below is the diagram for OutputStream class hierarchy:
- Each of these classes are designed for specific purposes, which are explained below one by one.
1. FileOutputStream
- Description: Writes data to a file in the form of bytes.
- Use in Projects: Useful for writing binary data like images, audio etc.
-
Example Syntax:
FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream("output.txt"); fos.write(65); // writes 'A'
2. ByteArrayOutputStream
- Description: Writes data to a byte array in memory.
- Use in Projects: Useful for temporary storage or manipulating byte data before writing to a file.
-
Example Syntax:
ByteArrayOutputStream baos = new ByteArrayOutputStream(); baos.write(65); byte[] data = baos.toByteArray();
3. FilterOutputStream
- Description: A base class for other output stream filters (not used directly).
- Use in Projects: Extended by classes like BufferedOutputStream, DataOutputStream, PrintStream.
-
Example Syntax:
Rarely used directly. Mostly used via subclasses.
4. BufferedOutputStream
- Description: Adds buffering to output stream for faster writing.
- Use in Projects: Useful when writing large files (improves performance).
-
Example Syntax:
BufferedOutputStream bos = new BufferedOutputStream(new FileOutputStream("file.txt")); bos.write(65);
5. DataOutputStream
- Description: Writes Java primitive data types (int, float, double, etc.) in a machine-independent way.
- Use in Projects: Useful for binary files containing structured primitive data.
-
Example Syntax:
DataOutputStream dos = new DataOutputStream(new FileOutputStream("data.bin")); dos.writeInt(123);
6. PrintStream
- Description: Prints data to an output stream in a readable text form (includes methods like print(), println()).
- Use in Projects: Useful for logging, console-like output, or text-based file output.
-
Example Syntax:
PrintStream ps = new PrintStream(new FileOutputStream("log.txt")); ps.println("Hello World");
7. ObjectOutputStream
- Description: Writes Java objects to a stream for storage or transmission.
- Use in Projects: Used for serialization.
-
Example Syntax:
ObjectOutputStream oos = new ObjectOutputStream(new FileOutputStream("object.ser")); oos.writeObject(new MyClass());
8. PipedOutputStream
- Description: Writes data that can be read by a connected PipedInputStream.
- Use in Projects: Useful for communication between threads.
-
Example Syntax:
PipedOutputStream pos = new PipedOutputStream(); PipedInputStream pis = new PipedInputStream(pos); pos.write(65);
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