Menu
On POSIX systems rename(2) provides for an atomic rename operation, including overwriting of the destination file if it exists and if permissions allow.
Is there any way to get the same semantics on Windows? I know about MoveFileTransacted() on Vista and Server 2008, but I need this to support Win2k and up.
The key word here is atomic... the solution must not be able to fail in any way that leaves the operation in an inconsistent state.
I've seen a lot of people say this is impossible on win32, but I ask you, is it really?
Please provide reliable citations if possible.
463
The relevant passage from that MS research paper: "Under UNIX, rename() is guaranteed to atomically overwrite the old version of the file. Under Windows, the ReplaceFile() call is used to atomically replace one file with another."
In POSIX, a successful call to rename is guaranteed to have been atomic from the point of view of the current host (i.e., another program would only see the file with the old name or the file with the new name, not both or neither of them).
See ReplaceFile() in Win32 (http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/64525/tr-2006-45.pdf)
198
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
