lib/std: add some cached services on Path
[nit.git] / lib / standard / file.nit
index 1fffc18..554a854 100644 (file)
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 # This file is free software, which comes along with NIT.  This software is
 # distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
-# without  even  the implied warranty of  MERCHANTABILITY or  FITNESS FOR A 
+# without  even  the implied warranty of  MERCHANTABILITY or  FITNESS FOR A
 # PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  You can modify it is you want,  provided this header
 # is kept unaltered, and a notification of the changes is added.
 # You  are  allowed  to  redistribute it and sell it, alone or is a part of
 module file
 
 intrude import stream
-intrude import ropes
-import string_search
+intrude import text::ropes
+import text
 import time
+import gc
 
 in "C Header" `{
        #include <dirent.h>
@@ -27,120 +28,209 @@ in "C Header" `{
        #include <sys/stat.h>
        #include <unistd.h>
        #include <stdio.h>
+       #include <poll.h>
+       #include <errno.h>
 `}
 
-# File Abstract Stream
-abstract class FStream
-       super IOS
+# `Stream` used to interact with a File or FileDescriptor
+abstract class FileStream
+       super Stream
        # The path of the file.
        var path: nullable String = null
 
        # The FILE *.
        private var file: nullable NativeFile = null
 
-       fun file_stat: FileStat do return _file.file_stat
+       # The status of a file. see POSIX stat(2).
+       #
+       #     var f = new FileReader.open("/etc/issue")
+       #     assert f.file_stat.is_file
+       #
+       # Return null in case of error
+       fun file_stat: nullable FileStat
+       do
+               var stat = _file.file_stat
+               if stat.address_is_null then return null
+               return new FileStat(stat)
+       end
 
        # File descriptor of this file
        fun fd: Int do return _file.fileno
+
+       redef fun close
+       do
+               if _file == null then return
+               if _file.address_is_null then
+                       if last_error != null then return
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot close unopened file")
+                       return
+               end
+               var i = _file.io_close
+               if i != 0 then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Close failed due to error {sys.errno.strerror}")
+               end
+               _file = null
+       end
+
+       # Sets the buffering mode for the current FileStream
+       #
+       # If the buf_size is <= 0, its value will be 512 by default
+       #
+       # The mode is any of the buffer_mode enumeration in `Sys`:
+       #
+       # * `buffer_mode_full`
+       # * `buffer_mode_line`
+       # * `buffer_mode_none`
+       fun set_buffering_mode(buf_size, mode: Int) do
+               if buf_size <= 0 then buf_size = 512
+               if _file.set_buffering_type(buf_size, mode) != 0 then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Error while changing buffering type for FileStream, returned error {sys.errno.strerror}")
+               end
+       end
 end
 
-# File input stream
-class IFStream
-       super FStream
-       super BufferedIStream
-       super PollableIStream
+# `Stream` that can read from a File
+class FileReader
+       super FileStream
+       super BufferedReader
+       super PollableReader
        # Misc
 
        # Open the same file again.
        # The original path is reused, therefore the reopened file can be a different file.
+       #
+       #     var f = new FileReader.open("/etc/issue")
+       #     var l = f.read_line
+       #     f.reopen
+       #     assert l == f.read_line
        fun reopen
        do
                if not eof and not _file.address_is_null then close
                last_error = null
                _file = new NativeFile.io_open_read(path.to_cstring)
                if _file.address_is_null then
-                       last_error = new IOError("Error: Opening file at '{path.as(not null)}' failed with '{sys.errno.strerror}'")
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot open `{path.as(not null)}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
                        end_reached = true
                        return
                end
                end_reached = false
-               _buffer_pos = 0
-               _buffer.clear
+               buffer_reset
        end
 
        redef fun close
        do
-               if _file.address_is_null then return
-               var i = _file.io_close
-               _buffer.clear
+               super
+               buffer_reset
                end_reached = true
        end
 
        redef fun fill_buffer
        do
-               var nb = _file.io_read(_buffer.items, _buffer.capacity)
+               var nb = _file.io_read(_buffer, _buffer_capacity)
+               if last_error == null and _file.ferror then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot read `{path.as(not null)}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       end_reached = true
+               end
                if nb <= 0 then
                        end_reached = true
                        nb = 0
                end
-               _buffer.length = nb
+               _buffer_length = nb
                _buffer_pos = 0
        end
 
        # End of file?
-       redef var end_reached: Bool = false
+       redef var end_reached = false
 
        # Open the file at `path` for reading.
+       #
+       #     var f = new FileReader.open("/etc/issue")
+       #     assert not f.end_reached
+       #     f.close
+       #
+       # In case of error, `last_error` is set
+       #
+       #     f = new FileReader.open("/fail/does not/exist")
+       #     assert f.end_reached
+       #     assert f.last_error != null
        init open(path: String)
        do
                self.path = path
                prepare_buffer(10)
                _file = new NativeFile.io_open_read(path.to_cstring)
                if _file.address_is_null then
-                       last_error = new IOError("Error: Opening file at '{path}' failed with '{sys.errno.strerror}'")
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot open `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
                        end_reached = true
                end
        end
 
+       # Creates a new File stream from a file descriptor
+       #
+       # This is a low-level method.
+       init from_fd(fd: Int) do
+               self.path = ""
+               prepare_buffer(1)
+               _file = fd.fd_to_stream(read_only)
+               if _file.address_is_null then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Error: Converting fd {fd} to stream failed with '{sys.errno.strerror}'")
+                       end_reached = true
+               end
+       end
 end
 
-# File output stream
-class OFStream
-       super FStream
-       super OStream
-       
+# `Stream` that can write to a File
+class FileWriter
+       super FileStream
+       super Writer
+
+       redef fun write_bytes(s) do
+               if last_error != null then return
+               if not _is_writable then
+                       last_error = new IOError("cannot write to non-writable stream")
+                       return
+               end
+               write_native(s.items, 0, s.length)
+       end
+
        redef fun write(s)
        do
                if last_error != null then return
                if not _is_writable then
-                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot write to non-writable stream")
+                       last_error = new IOError("cannot write to non-writable stream")
                        return
                end
-               if s isa FlatText then
-                       write_native(s.to_cstring, s.length)
-               else
-                       for i in s.substrings do write_native(i.to_cstring, i.length)
-               end
+               s.write_native_to(self)
        end
 
-       redef fun close
+       redef fun write_byte(value)
        do
+               if last_error != null then return
+               if not _is_writable then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot write to non-writable stream")
+                       return
+               end
                if _file.address_is_null then
-                       if last_error != null then return
-                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot close unopened write stream")
+                       last_error = new IOError("Writing on a null stream")
                        _is_writable = false
                        return
                end
-               var i = _file.io_close
-               if i != 0 then
-                       last_error = new IOError("Close failed due to error {sys.errno.strerror}")
+
+               var err = _file.write_byte(value)
+               if err != 1 then
+                       # Big problem
+                       last_error = new IOError("Problem writing a byte: {err}")
                end
+       end
+
+       redef fun close
+       do
+               super
                _is_writable = false
        end
        redef var is_writable = false
-       
+
        # Write `len` bytes from `native`.
-       private fun write_native(native: NativeString, len: Int)
+       private fun write_native(native: NativeString, from, len: Int)
        do
                if last_error != null then return
                if not _is_writable then
@@ -152,13 +242,13 @@ class OFStream
                        _is_writable = false
                        return
                end
-               var err = _file.io_write(native, len)
+               var err = _file.io_write(native, from, len)
                if err != len then
                        # Big problem
                        last_error = new IOError("Problem in writing : {err} {len} \n")
                end
        end
-       
+
        # Open the file at `path` for writing.
        init open(path: String)
        do
@@ -166,16 +256,49 @@ class OFStream
                self.path = path
                _is_writable = true
                if _file.address_is_null then
-                       last_error = new IOError("Error: Opening file at '{path}' failed with '{sys.errno.strerror}'")
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot open `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
                        is_writable = false
                end
        end
+
+       # Creates a new File stream from a file descriptor
+       init from_fd(fd: Int) do
+               self.path = ""
+               _file = fd.fd_to_stream(wipe_write)
+               _is_writable = true
+                if _file.address_is_null then
+                        last_error = new IOError("Error: Opening stream from file descriptor {fd} failed with '{sys.errno.strerror}'")
+                       _is_writable = false
+               end
+       end
 end
 
+redef class Int
+       # Creates a file stream from a file descriptor `fd` using the file access `mode`.
+       #
+       # NOTE: The `mode` specified must be compatible with the one used in the file descriptor.
+       private fun fd_to_stream(mode: NativeString): NativeFile `{
+               return fdopen(self, mode);
+       `}
+end
+
+# Constant for read-only file streams
+private fun read_only: NativeString do return once "r".to_cstring
+
+# Constant for write-only file streams
+#
+# If a stream is opened on a file with this method,
+# it will wipe the previous file if any.
+# Else, it will create the file.
+private fun wipe_write: NativeString do return once "w".to_cstring
+
 ###############################################################################
 
+# Standard input stream.
+#
+# The class of the default value of `sys.stdin`.
 class Stdin
-       super IFStream
+       super FileReader
 
        init do
                _file = new NativeFile.native_stdin
@@ -183,20 +306,35 @@ class Stdin
                prepare_buffer(1)
        end
 
-       redef fun poll_in: Bool is extern "file_stdin_poll_in"
+       redef fun poll_in `{
+               struct pollfd fd = {0, POLLIN, 0};
+               int res = poll(&fd, 1, 0);
+               if (res == -1) {
+                       perror("Error poll stdin");
+                       exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+               }
+               return res > 0;
+       `}
 end
 
+# Standard output stream.
+#
+# The class of the default value of `sys.stdout`.
 class Stdout
-       super OFStream
+       super FileWriter
        init do
                _file = new NativeFile.native_stdout
                path = "/dev/stdout"
                _is_writable = true
+               set_buffering_mode(256, sys.buffer_mode_line)
        end
 end
 
+# Standard error stream.
+#
+# The class of the default value of `sys.stderr`.
 class Stderr
-       super OFStream
+       super FileWriter
        init do
                _file = new NativeFile.native_stderr
                path = "/dev/stderr"
@@ -206,34 +344,154 @@ end
 
 ###############################################################################
 
-redef class Streamable
+redef class Writable
        # Like `write_to` but take care of creating the file
        fun write_to_file(filepath: String)
        do
-               var stream = new OFStream.open(filepath)
+               var stream = new FileWriter.open(filepath)
                write_to(stream)
                stream.close
        end
 end
 
-redef class String
-       # return true if a file with this names exists
-       fun file_exists: Bool do return to_cstring.file_exists
+# Utility class to access file system services.
+#
+# Usually created with `Text::to_path`.
+#
+# `Path` objects does not necessarily represent existing files in a file system.
+# They are sate-less objects that efficiently represent path information.
+# They also provide an easy to use API on file-system services and are used to store their error status (see `last_error`)
+class Path
 
-       # The status of a file. see POSIX stat(2).
-       fun file_stat: FileStat do return to_cstring.file_stat
+       private var path: String
 
-       # The status of a file or of a symlink. see POSIX lstat(2).
-       fun file_lstat: FileStat do return to_cstring.file_lstat
+       # Path to this file
+       redef fun to_s do return path
 
-       # Remove a file, return true if success
-       fun file_delete: Bool do return to_cstring.file_delete
+       # Short name of the file at `to_s`
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var path = "/tmp/somefile".to_path
+       # assert path.filename == "somefile"
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # The result does not depend of the file system, thus is cached for efficiency.
+       var filename: String = path.basename is lazy
 
-       # Copy content of file at `self` to `dest`
-       fun file_copy_to(dest: String)
+       # The path simplified by removing useless `.`, removing `//`, and resolving `..`
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var path = "somedir/./tmp/../somefile".to_path
+       # assert path.simplified.to_s == "somedir/somefile"
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # See `String:simplify_path` for details.
+       #
+       # The result does not depend of the file system, thus is cached for efficiency.
+       var simplified: Path is lazy do
+               var res = path.simplify_path.to_path
+               res.simplified = res
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Return the directory part of the path.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var path = "/foo/bar/baz".to_path
+       # assert path.dir.to_s == "/foo/bar"
+       # assert path.dir.dir.to_s == "/foo"
+       # assert path.dir.dir.dir.to_s == "/"
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # See `String:dirname` for details.
+       #
+       # The result does not depend of the file system, thus is cached for efficiency.
+       var dir: Path is lazy do
+               return path.dirname.to_path
+       end
+
+       # Last error produced by I/O operations.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var path = "/does/not/exists".to_path
+       # assert path.last_error == null
+       # path.read_all
+       # assert path.last_error != null
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # Since `Path` objects are stateless, `last_error` is reset on most operations and reflect its status.
+       var last_error: nullable IOError = null is writable
+
+       # Does the file at `path` exists?
+       #
+       # If the file does not exists, `last_error` is set to the information.
+       fun exists: Bool do return stat != null
+
+       # Information on the file at `self` following symbolic links
+       #
+       # Returns `null` if there is no file at `self`.
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       #
+       #     assert "/etc/".to_path.stat.is_dir
+       #     assert "/etc/issue".to_path.stat.is_file
+       #     assert "/fail/does not/exist".to_path.stat == null
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var p = "/tmp/".to_path
+       # var stat = p.stat
+       # if stat != null then # Does `p` exist?
+       #     print "It's size is {stat.size}"
+       #     if stat.is_dir then print "It's a directory"
+       # else
+       #     print p.last_error.to_s
+       # end
+       # ~~~
+       fun stat: nullable FileStat
+       do
+               var stat = path.to_cstring.file_stat
+               if stat.address_is_null then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot open `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       return null
+               end
+               last_error = null
+               return new FileStat(stat)
+       end
+
+       # Information on the file or link at `self`
+       #
+       # Do not follow symbolic links.
+       fun link_stat: nullable FileStat
        do
-               var input = new IFStream.open(self)
-               var output = new OFStream.open(dest)
+               var stat = path.to_cstring.file_lstat
+               if stat.address_is_null then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot open `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       return null
+               end
+               last_error = null
+               return new FileStat(stat)
+       end
+
+       # Delete a file from the file system.
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       fun delete
+       do
+               var res = path.to_cstring.file_delete
+               if not res then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot delete `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+               else
+                       last_error = null
+               end
+       end
+
+       # Copy content of file at `path` to `dest`.
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       fun copy(dest: Path)
+       do
+               last_error = null
+               var input = open_ro
+               var output = dest.open_wo
 
                while not input.eof do
                        var buffer = input.read(1024)
@@ -242,38 +500,421 @@ redef class String
 
                input.close
                output.close
+               last_error = input.last_error or else output.last_error
+       end
+
+       # Open this file for reading.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var file = "/etc/issue".to_path.open_ro
+       # print file.read_line
+       # file.close
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # Note that it is the user's responsibility to close the stream.
+       # Therefore, for simple use case, look at `read_all` or `each_line`.
+       #
+       # ENSURE `last_error == result.last_error`
+       fun open_ro: FileReader
+       do
+               var res = new FileReader.open(path)
+               last_error = res.last_error
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Open this file for writing
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var file = "bla.log".to_path.open_wo
+       # file.write "Blabla\n"
+       # file.close
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # Note that it is the user's responsibility to close the stream.
+       # Therefore, for simple use case, look at `Writable::write_to_file`.
+       #
+       # ENSURE `last_error == result.last_error`
+       fun open_wo: FileWriter
+       do
+               var res = new FileWriter.open(path)
+               last_error = res.last_error
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Read all the content of the file as a string.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var content = "/etc/issue".to_path.read_all
+       # print content
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       # In case of error, the result might be empty or truncated.
+       #
+       # See `Reader::read_all` for details.
+       fun read_all: String do return read_all_bytes.to_s
+
+       # Read all the content on the file as a raw sequence of bytes.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var content = "/etc/issue".to_path.read_all_bytes
+       # print content.to_s
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       # In case of error, the result might be empty or truncated.
+       fun read_all_bytes: Bytes
+       do
+               var s = open_ro
+               var res = s.read_all_bytes
+               s.close
+               last_error = s.last_error
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Read all the lines of the file
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var lines = "/etc/passwd".to_path.read_lines
+       #
+       # print "{lines.length} users"
+       #
+       # for l in lines do
+       #     var fields = l.split(":")
+       #     print "name={fields[0]} uid={fields[2]}"
+       # end
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       # In case of error, the result might be empty or truncated.
+       #
+       # See `Reader::read_lines` for details.
+       fun read_lines: Array[String]
+       do
+               var s = open_ro
+               var res = s.read_lines
+               s.close
+               last_error = s.last_error
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Return an iterator on each line of the file
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # for l in "/etc/passwd".to_path.each_line do
+       #     var fields = l.split(":")
+       #     print "name={fields[0]} uid={fields[2]}"
+       # end
+       # ~~~
+       #
+       # Note: the stream is automatically closed at the end of the file (see `LineIterator::close_on_finish`)
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       #
+       # See `Reader::each_line` for details.
+       fun each_line: LineIterator
+       do
+               var s = open_ro
+               var res = s.each_line
+               res.close_on_finish = true
+               last_error = s.last_error
+               return res
+       end
+
+
+       # Lists the files contained within the directory at `path`.
+       #
+       #     var files = "/etc".to_path.files
+       #     assert files.has("/etc/issue".to_path)
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       # In case of error, the result might be empty or truncated.
+       #
+       #     var path = "/etc/issue".to_path
+       #     files = path.files
+       #     assert files.is_empty
+       #     assert path.last_error != null
+       fun files: Array[Path]
+       do
+               last_error = null
+               var res = new Array[Path]
+               var d = new NativeDir.opendir(path.to_cstring)
+               if d.address_is_null then
+                       last_error = new IOError("Cannot list directory `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       return res
+               end
+
+               loop
+                       var de = d.readdir
+                       if de.address_is_null then
+                               # readdir cannot fail, so null means end of list
+                               break
+                       end
+                       var name = de.to_s_with_copy
+                       if name == "." or name == ".." then continue
+                       res.add new Path(path / name)
+               end
+               d.closedir
+
+               return res
+       end
+
+       # Delete a directory and all of its content
+       #
+       # Does not go through symbolic links and may get stuck in a cycle if there
+       # is a cycle in the file system.
+       #
+       # `last_error` is updated to contains the error information on error, and null on success.
+       # The method does not stop on the first error and try to remove most file and directories.
+       #
+       # ~~~
+       # var path = "/does/not/exists/".to_path
+       # path.rmdir
+       # assert path.last_error != null
+       # ~~~
+       fun rmdir
+       do
+               last_error = null
+               for file in self.files do
+                       var stat = file.link_stat
+                       if stat == null then
+                               last_error = file.last_error
+                               continue
+                       end
+                       if stat.is_dir then
+                               # Recursively rmdir
+                               file.rmdir
+                       else
+                               file.delete
+                       end
+                       if last_error == null then last_error = file.last_error
+               end
+
+               # Delete the directory itself if things are fine
+               if last_error == null then
+                       if path.to_cstring.rmdir then
+                               last_error = new IOError("Cannot remove `{self}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       end
+               end
        end
 
-       # Remove the trailing extension `ext`.
+       redef fun ==(other) do return other isa Path and simplified.path == other.simplified.path
+       redef fun hash do return simplified.path.hash
+end
+
+# Information on a file
+#
+# Created by `Path::stat` and `Path::link_stat`.
+#
+# The information within this class is gathered when the instance is initialized
+# it will not be updated if the targeted file is modified.
+class FileStat
+       super Finalizable
+
+       # TODO private init
+
+       # The low-level status of a file
        #
-       # `ext` usually starts with a dot but could be anything.
+       # See: POSIX stat(2)
+       private var stat: NativeFileStat
+
+       private var finalized = false
+
+       redef fun finalize
+       do
+               if not finalized then
+                       stat.free
+                       finalized = true
+               end
+       end
+
+       # Returns the last access time in seconds since Epoch
+       fun last_access_time: Int
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.atime
+       end
+
+       # Returns the last access time
        #
-       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension(".txt")  == "file"
-       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension("le.txt")  == "fi"
-       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension("xt")  == "file.t"
+       # alias for `last_access_time`
+       fun atime: Int do return last_access_time
+
+       # Returns the last modification time in seconds since Epoch
+       fun last_modification_time: Int
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.mtime
+       end
+
+       # Returns the last modification time
        #
-       # if `ext` is not present, `self` is returned unmodified.
+       # alias for `last_modification_time`
+       fun mtime: Int do return last_modification_time
+
+
+       # Size of the file at `path`
+       fun size: Int
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.size
+       end
+
+       # Is self a regular file and not a device file, pipe, socket, etc.?
+       fun is_file: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_reg
+       end
+
+       # Alias for `is_file`
+       fun is_reg: Bool do return is_file
+
+       # Is this a directory?
+       fun is_dir: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_dir
+       end
+
+       # Is this a symbolic link?
+       fun is_link: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_lnk
+       end
+
+       # FIXME Make the following POSIX only? or implement in some other way on Windows
+
+       # Returns the last status change time in seconds since Epoch
+       fun last_status_change_time: Int
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.ctime
+       end
+
+       # Returns the last status change time
+       #
+       # alias for `last_status_change_time`
+       fun ctime: Int do return last_status_change_time
+
+       # Returns the permission bits of file
+       fun mode: Int
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.mode
+       end
+
+       # Is this a character device?
+       fun is_chr: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_chr
+       end
+
+       # Is this a block device?
+       fun is_blk: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_blk
+       end
+
+       # Is this a FIFO pipe?
+       fun is_fifo: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_fifo
+       end
+
+       # Is this a UNIX socket
+       fun is_sock: Bool
+       do
+               assert not finalized
+               return stat.is_sock
+       end
+end
+
+redef class Text
+       # Access file system related services on the path at `self`
+       fun to_path: Path do return new Path(to_s)
+
+       private fun write_native_to(s: FileWriter)
+       do
+               for i in substrings do s.write_native(i.to_cstring, 0, i.length)
+       end
+end
+
+redef class String
+       # return true if a file with this names exists
+       fun file_exists: Bool do return to_cstring.file_exists
+
+       # The status of a file. see POSIX stat(2).
+       fun file_stat: nullable FileStat
+       do
+               var stat = to_cstring.file_stat
+               if stat.address_is_null then return null
+               return new FileStat(stat)
+       end
+
+       # The status of a file or of a symlink. see POSIX lstat(2).
+       fun file_lstat: nullable FileStat
+       do
+               var stat = to_cstring.file_lstat
+               if stat.address_is_null then return null
+               return new FileStat(stat)
+       end
+
+       # Remove a file, return true if success
+       fun file_delete: Bool do return to_cstring.file_delete
+
+       # Copy content of file at `self` to `dest`
+       fun file_copy_to(dest: String) do to_path.copy(dest.to_path)
+
+       # Remove the trailing `extension`.
+       #
+       # `extension` usually starts with a dot but could be anything.
+       #
+       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension(".txt")   == "file"
+       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension("le.txt") == "fi"
+       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension("xt")     == "file.t"
+       #
+       # If `extension == null`, the rightmost extension is stripped, including the last dot.
+       #
+       #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension           == "file"
+       #
+       # If `extension` is not present, `self` is returned unmodified.
        #
        #     assert "file.txt".strip_extension(".tar.gz")  == "file.txt"
-       fun strip_extension(ext: String): String
+       fun strip_extension(extension: nullable String): String
        do
-               if has_suffix(ext) then
-                       return substring(0, length - ext.length)
+               if extension == null then
+                       extension = file_extension
+                       if extension == null then
+                               return self
+                       else extension = ".{extension}"
+               end
+
+               if has_suffix(extension) then
+                       return substring(0, length - extension.length)
                end
                return self
        end
 
-       # Extract the basename of a path and remove the extension
+       # Extract the basename of a path and strip the `extension`
+       #
+       # The extension is stripped only if `extension != null`.
        #
-       #     assert "/path/to/a_file.ext".basename(".ext")         == "a_file"
-       #     assert "path/to/a_file.ext".basename(".ext")          == "a_file"
-       #     assert "path/to".basename(".ext")                     == "to"
-       #     assert "path/to/".basename(".ext")                    == "to"
+       #     assert "/path/to/a_file.ext".basename(".ext")     == "a_file"
+       #     assert "path/to/a_file.ext".basename(".ext")      == "a_file"
+       #     assert "path/to/a_file.ext".basename              == "a_file.ext"
+       #     assert "path/to".basename(".ext")                 == "to"
+       #     assert "path/to/".basename(".ext")                == "to"
+       #     assert "path/to".basename                         == "to"
        #     assert "path".basename("")                        == "path"
        #     assert "/path".basename("")                       == "path"
        #     assert "/".basename("")                           == "/"
        #     assert "".basename("")                            == ""
-       fun basename(ext: String): String
+       fun basename(extension: nullable String): String
        do
                var l = length - 1 # Index of the last char
                while l > 0 and self.chars[l] == '/' do l -= 1 # remove all trailing `/`
@@ -283,7 +924,10 @@ redef class String
                if pos >= 0 then
                        n = substring(pos+1, l-pos)
                end
-               return n.strip_extension(ext)
+
+               if extension != null then
+                       return n.strip_extension(extension)
+               else return n
        end
 
        # Extract the dirname of a path
@@ -318,31 +962,48 @@ redef class String
                return res
        end
 
-       # Simplify a file path by remove useless ".", removing "//", and resolving ".."
-       # ".." are not resolved if they start the path
-       # starting "/" is not removed
-       # trainling "/" is removed
+       # Simplify a file path by remove useless `.`, removing `//`, and resolving `..`
+       #
+       # * `..` are not resolved if they start the path
+       # * starting `.` is simplified unless the path is empty
+       # * starting `/` is not removed
+       # * trailing `/` is removed
+       #
+       # Note that the method only work on the string:
        #
-       # Note that the method only wonrk on the string:
        #  * no I/O access is performed
        #  * the validity of the path is not checked
        #
-       #     assert "some/./complex/../../path/from/../to/a////file//".simplify_path        ==  "path/to/a/file"
-       #     assert "../dir/file".simplify_path       ==  "../dir/file"
-       #     assert "dir/../../".simplify_path        ==  ".."
-       #     assert "dir/..".simplify_path            ==  "."
-       #     assert "//absolute//path/".simplify_path ==  "/absolute/path"
-       #     assert "//absolute//../".simplify_path   ==  "/"
+       # ~~~
+       # assert "some/./complex/../../path/from/../to/a////file//".simplify_path            ==  "path/to/a/file"
+       # assert "../dir/file".simplify_path       ==  "../dir/file"
+       # assert "dir/../../".simplify_path        ==  ".."
+       # assert "dir/..".simplify_path            ==  "."
+       # assert "//absolute//path/".simplify_path ==  "/absolute/path"
+       # assert "//absolute//../".simplify_path   ==  "/"
+       # assert "/".simplify_path                 == "/"
+       # assert "../".simplify_path               == ".."
+       # assert "./".simplify_path                == "."
+       # assert "././././././".simplify_path      == "."
+       # assert "./../dir".simplify_path                  == "../dir"
+       # assert "./dir".simplify_path                     == "dir"
+       # ~~~
        fun simplify_path: String
        do
                var a = self.split_with("/")
                var a2 = new Array[String]
                for x in a do
-                       if x == "." then continue
-                       if x == "" and not a2.is_empty then continue
+                       if x == "." and not a2.is_empty then continue # skip `././`
+                       if x == "" and not a2.is_empty then continue # skip `//`
                        if x == ".." and not a2.is_empty and a2.last != ".." then
-                               a2.pop
-                               continue
+                               if a2.last == "." then # do not skip `./../`
+                                       a2.pop # reduce `./../` in `../`
+                               else # reduce `dir/../` in `/`
+                                       a2.pop
+                                       continue
+                               end
+                       else if not a2.is_empty and a2.last == "." then
+                               a2.pop # reduce `./dir` in `dir`
                        end
                        a2.push(x)
                end
@@ -356,7 +1017,6 @@ redef class String
        # Using a standard "{self}/{path}" does not work in the following cases:
        #
        # * `self` is empty.
-       # * `path` ends with `'/'`.
        # * `path` starts with `'/'`.
        #
        # This method ensures that the join is valid.
@@ -426,7 +1086,7 @@ redef class String
        # In other cases, parts of the current directory may be exhibited:
        #
        #     var p = "../foo/bar".relpath("baz")
-       #     var c = getcwd.basename("")
+       #     var c = getcwd.basename
        #     assert p == "../../{c}/baz"
        #
        # For path resolution independent of the current directory (eg. for paths in URL),
@@ -477,45 +1137,45 @@ redef class String
        end
 
        # Create a directory (and all intermediate directories if needed)
-       fun mkdir
+       #
+       # Return an error object in case of error.
+       #
+       #    assert "/etc/".mkdir != null
+       fun mkdir: nullable Error
        do
                var dirs = self.split_with("/")
                var path = new FlatBuffer
-               if dirs.is_empty then return
+               if dirs.is_empty then return null
                if dirs[0].is_empty then
                        # it was a starting /
                        path.add('/')
                end
+               var error: nullable Error = null
                for d in dirs do
                        if d.is_empty then continue
                        path.append(d)
                        path.add('/')
-                       path.to_s.to_cstring.file_mkdir
+                       var res = path.to_s.to_cstring.file_mkdir
+                       if not res and error == null then
+                               error = new IOError("Cannot create directory `{path}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+                       end
                end
+               return error
        end
 
        # Delete a directory and all of its content, return `true` on success
        #
        # Does not go through symbolic links and may get stuck in a cycle if there
        # is a cycle in the filesystem.
-       fun rmdir: Bool
+       #
+       # Return an error object in case of error.
+       #
+       #     assert "/fail/does not/exist".rmdir != null
+       fun rmdir: nullable Error
        do
-               var ok = true
-               for file in self.files do
-                       var file_path = self.join_path(file)
-                       var stat = file_path.file_lstat
-                       if stat.is_dir then
-                               ok = file_path.rmdir and ok
-                       else
-                               ok = file_path.file_delete and ok
-                       end
-                       stat.free
-               end
-
-               # Delete the directory itself
-               if ok then to_cstring.rmdir
-
-               return ok
+               var p = to_path
+               p.rmdir
+               return p.last_error
        end
 
        # Change the current working directory
@@ -525,8 +1185,18 @@ redef class String
        #     "..".chdir
        #     assert getcwd == "/"
        #
-       # TODO: errno
-       fun chdir do to_cstring.file_chdir
+       # Return an error object in case of error.
+       #
+       #     assert "/etc".chdir == null
+       #     assert "/fail/does no/exist".chdir != null
+       #     assert getcwd == "/etc" # unchanger
+       fun chdir: nullable Error
+       do
+               var res = to_cstring.file_chdir
+               if res then return null
+               var error = new IOError("Cannot change directory to `{self}`: {sys.errno.strerror}")
+               return error
+       end
 
        # Return right-most extension (without the dot)
        #
@@ -556,139 +1226,325 @@ redef class String
                end
        end
 
-       # returns files contained within the directory represented by self
-       fun files : Set[ String ] is extern import HashSet[String], HashSet[String].add, NativeString.to_s, String.to_cstring, HashSet[String].as(Set[String]) `{
-               char *dir_path;
-               DIR *dir;
+       # Returns entries contained within the directory represented by self.
+       #
+       #     var files = "/etc".files
+       #     assert files.has("issue")
+       #
+       # Returns an empty array in case of error
+       #
+       #     files = "/etc/issue".files
+       #     assert files.is_empty
+       #
+       # TODO find a better way to handle errors and to give them back to the user.
+       fun files: Array[String]
+       do
+               var res = new Array[String]
+               var d = new NativeDir.opendir(to_cstring)
+               if d.address_is_null then return res
+
+               loop
+                       var de = d.readdir
+                       if de.address_is_null then break
+                       var name = de.to_s_with_copy
+                       if name == "." or name == ".." then continue
+                       res.add name
+               end
+               d.closedir
 
-               dir_path = String_to_cstring( recv );
-               if ((dir = opendir(dir_path)) == NULL)
-               {
-                       perror( dir_path );
-                       exit( 1 );
-               }
-               else
-               {
-                       HashSet_of_String results;
-                       String file_name;
-                       struct dirent *de;
+               return res
+       end
+end
 
-                       results = new_HashSet_of_String();
+redef class FlatString
+       redef fun write_native_to(s)
+       do
+               s.write_native(items, index_from, length)
+       end
+end
 
-                       while ( ( de = readdir( dir ) ) != NULL )
-                               if ( strcmp( de->d_name, ".." ) != 0 &&
-                                       strcmp( de->d_name, "." ) != 0 )
-                               {
-                                       file_name = NativeString_to_s( strdup( de->d_name ) );
-                                       HashSet_of_String_add( results, file_name );
-                               }
+redef class NativeString
+       private fun file_exists: Bool `{
+               FILE *hdl = fopen(self,"r");
+               if(hdl != NULL){
+                       fclose(hdl);
+               }
+               return hdl != NULL;
+       `}
 
-                       closedir( dir );
-                       return HashSet_of_String_as_Set_of_String( results );
+       private fun file_stat: NativeFileStat `{
+               struct stat buff;
+               if(stat(self, &buff) != -1) {
+                       struct stat* stat_element;
+                       stat_element = malloc(sizeof(struct stat));
+                       return memcpy(stat_element, &buff, sizeof(struct stat));
                }
+               return 0;
        `}
-end
 
-redef class NativeString
-       private fun file_exists: Bool is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_exists_0"
-       private fun file_stat: FileStat is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_stat_0"
-       private fun file_lstat: FileStat `{
+       private fun file_lstat: NativeFileStat `{
                struct stat* stat_element;
                int res;
                stat_element = malloc(sizeof(struct stat));
-               res = lstat(recv, stat_element);
+               res = lstat(self, stat_element);
                if (res == -1) return NULL;
                return stat_element;
        `}
-       private fun file_mkdir: Bool is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_mkdir_0"
-       private fun rmdir: Bool `{ return rmdir(recv); `}
-       private fun file_delete: Bool is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_delete_0"
-       private fun file_chdir is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_chdir_0"
-       private fun file_realpath: NativeString is extern "file_NativeString_realpath"
+
+       private fun file_mkdir: Bool `{ return !mkdir(self, 0777); `}
+
+       private fun rmdir: Bool `{ return !rmdir(self); `}
+
+       private fun file_delete: Bool `{
+               return remove(self) == 0;
+       `}
+
+       private fun file_chdir: Bool `{ return !chdir(self); `}
+
+       private fun file_realpath: NativeString `{ return realpath(self, NULL); `}
 end
 
 # This class is system dependent ... must reify the vfs
-extern class FileStat `{ struct stat * `}
+private extern class NativeFileStat `{ struct stat * `}
+
        # Returns the permission bits of file
-       fun mode: Int is extern "file_FileStat_FileStat_mode_0"
+       fun mode: Int `{ return self->st_mode; `}
+
        # Returns the last access time
-       fun atime: Int is extern "file_FileStat_FileStat_atime_0"
-       # Returns the last status change time 
-       fun ctime: Int is extern "file_FileStat_FileStat_ctime_0"
+       fun atime: Int `{ return self->st_atime; `}
+
+       # Returns the last status change time
+       fun ctime: Int `{ return self->st_ctime; `}
+
        # Returns the last modification time
-       fun mtime: Int is extern "file_FileStat_FileStat_mtime_0"
+       fun mtime: Int `{ return self->st_mtime; `}
+
        # Returns the size
-       fun size: Int is extern "file_FileStat_FileStat_size_0"
+       fun size: Int `{ return self->st_size; `}
 
        # Returns true if it is a regular file (not a device file, pipe, sockect, ...)
-       fun is_reg: Bool `{ return S_ISREG(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_reg: Bool `{ return S_ISREG(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if it is a directory
-       fun is_dir: Bool `{ return S_ISDIR(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_dir: Bool `{ return S_ISDIR(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if it is a character device
-       fun is_chr: Bool `{ return S_ISCHR(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_chr: Bool `{ return S_ISCHR(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if it is a block device
-       fun is_blk: Bool `{ return S_ISBLK(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_blk: Bool `{ return S_ISBLK(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if the type is fifo
-       fun is_fifo: Bool `{ return S_ISFIFO(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_fifo: Bool `{ return S_ISFIFO(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if the type is a link
-       fun is_lnk: Bool `{ return S_ISLNK(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_lnk: Bool `{ return S_ISLNK(self->st_mode); `}
+
        # Returns true if the type is a socket
-       fun is_sock: Bool `{ return S_ISSOCK(recv->st_mode); `}
+       fun is_sock: Bool `{ return S_ISSOCK(self->st_mode); `}
 end
 
 # Instance of this class are standard FILE * pointers
 private extern class NativeFile `{ FILE* `}
-       fun io_read(buf: NativeString, len: Int): Int is extern "file_NativeFile_NativeFile_io_read_2"
-       fun io_write(buf: NativeString, len: Int): Int is extern "file_NativeFile_NativeFile_io_write_2"
-       fun io_close: Int is extern "file_NativeFile_NativeFile_io_close_0"
-       fun file_stat: FileStat is extern "file_NativeFile_NativeFile_file_stat_0"
-       fun fileno: Int `{ return fileno(recv); `}
-
-       new io_open_read(path: NativeString) is extern "file_NativeFileCapable_NativeFileCapable_io_open_read_1"
-       new io_open_write(path: NativeString) is extern "file_NativeFileCapable_NativeFileCapable_io_open_write_1"
-       new native_stdin is extern "file_NativeFileCapable_NativeFileCapable_native_stdin_0"
-       new native_stdout is extern "file_NativeFileCapable_NativeFileCapable_native_stdout_0"
-       new native_stderr is extern "file_NativeFileCapable_NativeFileCapable_native_stderr_0"
+       fun io_read(buf: NativeString, len: Int): Int `{
+               return fread(buf, 1, len, self);
+       `}
+
+       fun io_write(buf: NativeString, from, len: Int): Int `{
+               return fwrite(buf+from, 1, len, self);
+       `}
+
+       fun write_byte(value: Byte): Int `{
+               unsigned char b = (unsigned char)value;
+               return fwrite(&b, 1, 1, self);
+       `}
+
+       fun io_close: Int `{ return fclose(self); `}
+
+       fun file_stat: NativeFileStat `{
+               struct stat buff;
+               if(fstat(fileno(self), &buff) != -1) {
+                       struct stat* stat_element;
+                       stat_element = malloc(sizeof(struct stat));
+                       return memcpy(stat_element, &buff, sizeof(struct stat));
+               }
+               return 0;
+       `}
+
+       fun ferror: Bool `{ return ferror(self); `}
+
+       fun fileno: Int `{ return fileno(self); `}
+
+       # Flushes the buffer, forcing the write operation
+       fun flush: Int `{ return fflush(self); `}
+
+       # Used to specify how the buffering will be handled for the current stream.
+       fun set_buffering_type(buf_length: Int, mode: Int): Int `{
+               return setvbuf(self, NULL, mode, buf_length);
+       `}
+
+       new io_open_read(path: NativeString) `{ return fopen(path, "r"); `}
+
+       new io_open_write(path: NativeString) `{ return fopen(path, "w"); `}
+
+       new native_stdin `{ return stdin; `}
+
+       new native_stdout `{ return stdout; `}
+
+       new native_stderr `{ return stderr; `}
+end
+
+# Standard `DIR*` pointer
+private extern class NativeDir `{ DIR* `}
+
+       # Open a directory
+       new opendir(path: NativeString) `{ return opendir(path); `}
+
+       # Close a directory
+       fun closedir `{ closedir(self); `}
+
+       # Read the next directory entry
+       fun readdir: NativeString `{
+               struct dirent *de;
+               de = readdir(self);
+               if (!de) return NULL;
+               return de->d_name;
+       `}
 end
 
 redef class Sys
 
        # Standard input
-       var stdin: PollableIStream = new Stdin is protected writable
+       var stdin: PollableReader = new Stdin is protected writable, lazy
 
        # Standard output
-       var stdout: OStream = new Stdout is protected writable
+       var stdout: Writer = new Stdout is protected writable, lazy
 
        # Standard output for errors
-       var stderr: OStream = new Stderr is protected writable
+       var stderr: Writer = new Stderr is protected writable, lazy
+
+       # Enumeration for buffer mode full (flushes when buffer is full)
+       fun buffer_mode_full: Int `{ return _IOFBF; `}
+
+       # Enumeration for buffer mode line (flushes when a `\n` is encountered)
+       fun buffer_mode_line: Int `{ return _IONBF; `}
+
+       # Enumeration for buffer mode none (flushes ASAP when something is written)
+       fun buffer_mode_none: Int `{ return _IOLBF; `}
+
+       # returns first available stream to read or write to
+       # return null on interruption (possibly a signal)
+       protected fun poll( streams : Sequence[FileStream] ) : nullable FileStream
+       do
+               var in_fds = new Array[Int]
+               var out_fds = new Array[Int]
+               var fd_to_stream = new HashMap[Int,FileStream]
+               for s in streams do
+                       var fd = s.fd
+                       if s isa FileReader then in_fds.add( fd )
+                       if s isa FileWriter then out_fds.add( fd )
+
+                       fd_to_stream[fd] = s
+               end
+
+               var polled_fd = intern_poll( in_fds, out_fds )
+
+               if polled_fd == null then
+                       return null
+               else
+                       return fd_to_stream[polled_fd]
+               end
+       end
+
+       private fun intern_poll(in_fds: Array[Int], out_fds: Array[Int]): nullable Int
+       import Array[Int].length, Array[Int].[], Int.as(nullable Int) `{
+               int in_len, out_len, total_len;
+               struct pollfd *c_fds;
+               int i;
+               int first_polled_fd = -1;
+               int result;
+
+               in_len = Array_of_Int_length( in_fds );
+               out_len = Array_of_Int_length( out_fds );
+               total_len = in_len + out_len;
+               c_fds = malloc( sizeof(struct pollfd) * total_len );
+
+               /* input streams */
+               for ( i=0; i<in_len; i ++ ) {
+                       int fd;
+                       fd = Array_of_Int__index( in_fds, i );
+
+                       c_fds[i].fd = fd;
+                       c_fds[i].events = POLLIN;
+               }
+
+               /* output streams */
+               for ( i=0; i<out_len; i ++ ) {
+                       int fd;
+                       fd = Array_of_Int__index( out_fds, i );
+
+                       c_fds[i].fd = fd;
+                       c_fds[i].events = POLLOUT;
+               }
+
+               /* poll all fds, unlimited timeout */
+               result = poll( c_fds, total_len, -1 );
+
+               if ( result > 0 ) {
+                       /* analyse results */
+                       for ( i=0; i<total_len; i++ )
+                               if ( c_fds[i].revents & c_fds[i].events || /* awaited event */
+                                        c_fds[i].revents & POLLHUP ) /* closed */
+                               {
+                                       first_polled_fd = c_fds[i].fd;
+                                       break;
+                               }
+
+                       return Int_as_nullable( first_polled_fd );
+               }
+               else if ( result < 0 )
+                       fprintf( stderr, "Error in Stream:poll: %s\n", strerror( errno ) );
+
+               return null_Int();
+       `}
 
 end
 
 # Print `objects` on the standard output (`stdout`).
-protected fun printn(objects: Object...)
+fun printn(objects: Object...)
 do
-       sys.stdout.write(objects.to_s)
+       sys.stdout.write(objects.plain_to_s)
 end
 
 # Print an `object` on the standard output (`stdout`) and add a newline.
-protected fun print(object: Object)
+fun print(object: Object)
 do
        sys.stdout.write(object.to_s)
        sys.stdout.write("\n")
 end
 
+# Print `object` on the error output (`stderr` or a log system)
+fun print_error(object: Object)
+do
+       sys.stderr.write object.to_s
+       sys.stderr.write "\n"
+end
+
 # Read a character from the standard input (`stdin`).
-protected fun getc: Char
+fun getc: Char
 do
-       return sys.stdin.read_char.ascii
+       var c = sys.stdin.read_char
+       if c == null then return '\1'
+       return c
 end
 
 # Read a line from the standard input (`stdin`).
-protected fun gets: String
+fun gets: String
 do
        return sys.stdin.read_line
 end
 
 # Return the working (current) directory
-protected fun getcwd: String do return file_getcwd.to_s
-private fun file_getcwd: NativeString is extern "string_NativeString_NativeString_file_getcwd_0"
+fun getcwd: String do return native_getcwd.to_s
+
+private fun native_getcwd: NativeString `{ return getcwd(NULL, 0); `}