function file_copy

Same name in other branches
  1. 9 core/modules/file/file.module \file_copy()
  2. 8.9.x core/modules/file/file.module \file_copy()

Copies a file to a new location and adds a file record to the database.

This function should be used when manipulating files that have records stored in the database. This is a powerful function that in many ways performs like an advanced version of copy().

  • Checks if $source and $destination are valid and readable/writable.
  • If file already exists in $destination either the call will error out, replace the file or rename the file based on the $replace parameter.
  • If the $source and $destination are equal, the behavior depends on the $replace parameter. FILE_EXISTS_REPLACE will error out. FILE_EXISTS_RENAME will rename the file until the $destination is unique.
  • Adds the new file to the files database. If the source file is a temporary file, the resulting file will also be a temporary file. See file_save_upload() for details on temporary files.

Parameters

$source: A file object.

$destination: A string containing the destination that $source should be copied to. This must be a stream wrapper URI.

$replace: Replace behavior when the destination file already exists:

  • FILE_EXISTS_REPLACE - Replace the existing file. If a managed file with the destination name exists then its database entry will be updated. If no database entry is found then a new one will be created.
  • FILE_EXISTS_RENAME - Append _{incrementing number} until the filename is unique.
  • FILE_EXISTS_ERROR - Do nothing and return FALSE.

Return value

File object if the copy is successful, or FALSE in the event of an error.

See also

file_unmanaged_copy()

hook_file_copy()

Related topics

6 calls to file_copy()
FileCopyTest::testExistingError in modules/simpletest/tests/file.test
Test that copying over an existing file fails when FILE_EXISTS_ERROR is specified.
FileCopyTest::testExistingRename in modules/simpletest/tests/file.test
Test renaming when copying over a file that already exists.
FileCopyTest::testExistingReplace in modules/simpletest/tests/file.test
Test replacement when copying over a file that already exists.
FileCopyTest::testNormal in modules/simpletest/tests/file.test
Test file copying in the normal, base case.
FileTokenReplaceTestCase::testFileTokenReplacement in modules/file/tests/file.test
Creates a file, then tests the tokens generated from it.

... See full list

File

includes/file.inc, line 817

Code

function file_copy(stdClass $source, $destination = NULL, $replace = FILE_EXISTS_RENAME) {
    if (!file_valid_uri($destination)) {
        if (($realpath = drupal_realpath($source->uri)) !== FALSE) {
            watchdog('file', 'File %file (%realpath) could not be copied, because the destination %destination is invalid. This is often caused by improper use of file_copy() or a missing stream wrapper.', array(
                '%file' => $source->uri,
                '%realpath' => $realpath,
                '%destination' => $destination,
            ));
        }
        else {
            watchdog('file', 'File %file could not be copied, because the destination %destination is invalid. This is often caused by improper use of file_copy() or a missing stream wrapper.', array(
                '%file' => $source->uri,
                '%destination' => $destination,
            ));
        }
        drupal_set_message(t('The specified file %file could not be copied, because the destination is invalid. More information is available in the system log.', array(
            '%file' => $source->uri,
        )), 'error');
        return FALSE;
    }
    if ($uri = file_unmanaged_copy($source->uri, $destination, $replace)) {
        $file = clone $source;
        $file->fid = NULL;
        $file->uri = $uri;
        $file->filename = drupal_basename($uri);
        // If we are replacing an existing file re-use its database record.
        if ($replace == FILE_EXISTS_REPLACE) {
            $existing_files = file_load_multiple(array(), array(
                'uri' => $uri,
            ));
            if (count($existing_files)) {
                $existing = reset($existing_files);
                $file->fid = $existing->fid;
                $file->filename = $existing->filename;
            }
        }
        elseif ($replace == FILE_EXISTS_RENAME && is_file($destination)) {
            $file->filename = drupal_basename($destination);
        }
        $file = file_save($file);
        // Inform modules that the file has been copied.
        module_invoke_all('file_copy', $file, $source);
        return $file;
    }
    return FALSE;
}

Buggy or inaccurate documentation? Please file an issue. Need support? Need help programming? Connect with the Drupal community.