Virtual File System Organiser

Project Overview

This project presents the design and implementation of a file management or explorer system in Java, utilizing a tree data structure to represent hierarchical directory structures. The system comprises two primary classes: File and Folder, encapsulated within a FileExplorerElement superclass to ensure polymorphic behavior. The Folder class serves as a tree node, containing a list of FileExplorerElement objects as its children, thus enabling the representation of directories containing both files and subdirectories.

Objectives

1. Develop a functional file explorer with a user-friendly GUI.
2. Implement essential file operations such as create, delete, and move.
3. Ensure accurate display of directory structures.
4. Provide a CLI for advanced users.
5. Optimize the application for performance.

Design and Implementation Details

Code Structure

• Directory: Manages the directory structure and file operations.
• Folder: Represents a storage container for files and other folders. Folders make up the directory and are the reason for the implementation of a tree data structure.
• File: Represents files.
• FileExplorerElement: Base class for files and folders.
• FileExplorer: Main GUI application class.
• Main: CLI interface for the file explorer.

Description of Classes

• Directory: Contains methods for creating, deleting, moving files and directories, and displaying the directory structure.
• Folder: Extends FileExplorerElement, representing directories.
• File: Extends FileExplorerElement, representing files.
• FileExplorer: Implements the GUI using Java Swing, providing an interface for users to interact with the file system.
• Main: Provides a CLI interface for file operations.

Data Structures and Algorithms Used

Data Structures

• Tree Structure: Used to represent the file and directory hierarchy, enabling efficient traversal and management. It was chosen because of the hierarchical nature of file management systems.
• ArrayList: Used to store the contents of directories, allowing dynamic resizing and easy access.

Algorithms

• Depth-First Search (DFS): Used for displaying the directory structure and searching files.
• Sorting Algorithm: Custom sorting is implemented to sort files and directories based on various attributes (e.g. name, item type, size, date modified).

Performance Analysis and Optimization Techniques

Time Complexity, Worst Case Scenario Analysis

• File and Directory Creation: O(n), where n is the number of directories in the path.
• File and Directory Deletion: O(n), where n is the number of elements in the directory.
• Directory Display: O(n), where n is the total number of files and directories.
• Sort: O(n log n), where n is the total number of files and directories.
• Search: O(n), where n is the total number of files and directories.

Optimization Techniques

• Efficient use of data structures like ArrayList and Trees for managing file and directory operations.
• Recursive algorithms for displaying and traversing directories to minimize code complexity.

Challenges Faced and Solutions Implemented

Challenge: Accurate Indentation for Directory Display

• Solution: Modified the recursive method to properly indent directory levels using a multiplier for spaces.

Challenge: File Creation in Nested Directories

• Solution: Enhanced the createFile method to navigate through the directory path and create the file at the correct location.

Challenge: Ensuring Robust Error Handling

• Solution: Introduced try-catch blocks across all methods to handle exceptions and provide meaningful error messages.

GUI Integration

• Solution: Seamlessly integrated file operations with the GUI, ensuring user inputs are correctly handled and reflected in the file system.

Instructions for Using the Application

Running the GUI Application

1. Compile and run the FileExplorer.java file.
2. Use the provided GUI to create, delete, move files and directories, and view the directory structure.

Running the CLI

1. Compile and run the Main.java file.
2. Enter commands as per the CLI instructions to perform file operations.

Using the CLI

• create_file <file_path>: Create a new file at the specified path.
• create_dir <dir_path>: Create a new directory at the specified path.
• delete <path>: Delete the file or directory at the specified path.
• move <source_path> <destination_path>: Move a file or directory from the source path to the destination path.
• search <attribute> <value>: Search for files or directories based on a specified attribute and value.
• sort <attribute>: Sort files and directories by the specified attribute.
• show_structure: Display the current directory and file structure in a tree format.