FileSystemEntry.getParent()

This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.

The FileSystemEntry interface's method getParent() obtains a FileSystemDirectoryEntry.

Syntax

FileSystemEntry.getParent(successCallback[, errorCallback]);

Parameters

successCallback
A function which is called when the parent directory entry has been retrieved. The callback receives a single input parameter: a FileSystemDirectoryEntry object representing the parent directory. The parent of the root directory is considered to be the root directory, itself, so be sure to watch for that.
errorCallback Optional
An optional callback which is executed if an error occurs. There's a single parameter: a FileError describing what went wrong.

Return value

undefined.

Errors

FileError.INVALID_STATE_ERR
The operation failed because the file system's state doesn't permit it. This can happen, for example, if the file system's cached state differs from the actual state of the file system.
FileError.NOT_FOUND_ERR
The specified path could not be found.
FileError.SECURITY_ERR
Security restrictions prohibit obtaining the parent directory's information.

Example

This example renames the file specified by the variable fileEntry to "newname.html".

fileEntry.getParent(function(parent) {
  fileEntry.moveTo(parent, "newname.html", function(updatedEntry) {
    console.log("File " + fileEntry.name + " renamed to newname.html.");
  });
}, function(error) {
  console.error("An error occurred: Unable to rename " + fileEntry.name
        + " to newname.html.");
});

This is accomplished by first obtaining a FileSystemDirectoryEntry object representing the directory the file is currently located in. Then moveTo() is used to rename the file within that directory.

Using promises

Currently, there isn't a Promise-based version of this method. You can, however, create a simple helper function to adapt it, like this:

function getParentPromise(entry) {
  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    entry.getParent(resolve, reject);
  });
}

A similar approach can be taken elsewhere in the File and Directory Entries API.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
File and Directory Entries API
The definition of 'getParent()' in that specification.
Draft Initial specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
getParent
Experimental
Chrome Full support 8Edge Full support 79Firefox No support NoIE No support NoOpera No support NoSafari Full support 11.1WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android No support NoOpera Android No support NoSafari iOS Full support 11.3Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.

See also