FileArray Project

Overview

This project is a Java-based application designed to manage and manipulate arrays stored in binary files. It was developed as part of a school project to demonstrate file handling, random number generation, and basic command-line interface (CLI) operations in Java.

The program allows users to create a binary file containing an array of random integers, increment all values in the array, and display the array in a formatted manner. The application is composed of two main classes: Main and FileArray.

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Features (FileArray)

1. Random Array Creation:

   • Generates a binary file containing an array of random integers.
   • The size of the array is randomly chosen between 1 and (2^5) (32).

2. Increment All Values:

   • Increments all integers in the array by 1.

3. Formatted Array Printing:

   • Displays the array in a formatted table with indices and values aligned for readability.

4. Command-Line Interface:

   • Accepts commands via CLI to perform operations on the array.

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How It Works

Main Class

The Main class is the entry point of the application. It:

• Accepts the file path and commands as arguments.
• Initializes the FileArray object.
• Processes commands (i for increment, p for print) to manipulate or display the array.

FileArray Class

The FileArray class handles all file-related operations:

• File Creation: Creates a binary file with random integers if the file does not already exist.
• Increment Operation: Reads the integers from the file, increments them, and writes them back to the file.
• Formatted Printing: Reads the integers and displays them in a structured format.

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Error Handling

• If the file path is invalid or inaccessible, the program will display an error message.
• If an unrecognized command is provided, the program will print: unrecognized command.

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GZIPFileArray Class

The GZIPFileArray class extends the FileArray class to handle files compressed in GZIP format.

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Features (GZIPFileArray)

1. Reading Compressed Files:

   • Overrides the read method to read integer arrays from GZIP-compressed files using GZIPInputStream.

2. Writing Compressed Files:

   • Overrides the write method to write integer arrays to GZIP-compressed files using GZIPOutputStream.

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Differences from FileArray:

• Uses compressed streams (GZIPInputStream and GZIPOutputStream) for reading and writing data.
• Maintains the same interface and behavior as the base class, with added support for compression.

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Usage:

The GZIPFileArray class is ideal for reducing the storage space required for binary files while preserving the ability to read and write integer arrays transparently.

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Example:

  GZIPFileArray gzipFileArray = new GZIPFileArray("example.zip", 10);
  gzipFileArray.incrementAll();
  gzipFileArray.print();

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Key Concepts Demonstrated

1. File I/O:

   • Reading and writing binary files using DataInputStream and DataOutputStream.

2. Random Number Generation:

   • Generating random integers using java.util.Random.

3. Command-Line Arguments:

   • Parsing and processing user input from the command line.

4. Error Handling:

   • Managing exceptions such as IOException.

5. Formatted Output:

   • Using System.out.printf for structured and readable output.

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License

This project is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant for commercial use.

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Author

• Name: [Filippo Spazzali]
• School: [Università degli Studi di Trieste]
• Course: [Computer Science]