Read any file as a binary string

Question

As the title suggests, is there any way to read a binary representation of a given file (.txt, .docx, .exe, etc...) in Java (or any other language)?

In java, I know how to read the content of a file as is, i.e:

String line;
BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(new FileReader("myFile.txt"));
while ((line = br.readLine()) != null) {
    System.out.println(line);
}

But I'm not sure (if it's possible) to read a binary representation of the file itself.

Your question is unclear. Are you asking how to read a file as a byte array? Do you want to read the file as a String consisting entirely of '0' and '1' characters? — VGR
– VGR, Commented Jul 24, 2015 at 2:49

StephenG · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-24 01:16:51Z

1

File file = new File(filePath);
byte[] bytes = new byte[(int)file.length()];
DataInputStream dataInputStream = new DataInputStream(new BufferedInputStream(new FileInputStream(filePath)));
dataInputStream.readFully(bytes);           
dataInputStream.close();

bytes is a byte array with all of the data of the file in it

answered Jul 24, 2015 at 1:16

StephenG

2,8911 gold badge20 silver badges37 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

VGR Over a year ago

Or, just use Files.readAllBytes(Paths.get(filePath)).

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Read any file as a binary string

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Linked

Related