The Java File class provides the mkdir() method to create a new directory. The method returns

• true if the new directory is created
• false if the directory already exists

Example 1: Create a new directory in Java

import java.io.File;

class Main{
  public static void main(String[] args){

    // creates a file object with specified path
    File file = new File("Java Example\directory");

    // tries to create a new directory
    boolean value = file.mkdir();
    if(value) {
      System.out.println("The new directory is created.");
    }
    else {
      System.out.println("The directory already exists.");
    }
  }
}

In the above example, we have created a file object named file. The object includes information about the specified directory path.

File file = new File("Java Example\directory");

Here, we have used the mkdir() method to create a new directory in the specified path.

If the directory doesn’t exist in the specified location, the new directory is created and this message is shown.

The new directory is created.

However, if the directory already exists, we will see this message.

The directory already exists.

It is important to note that, the directory is created inside the Java Example parent directory.

However, if the Java Example parent directory doesn’t exist, then the mkdir() method cannot create the directory.

In this case, we can use the mkdirs() method of the Java File class. The method allows us to create the parent directory as well if it’s not already there.

Example 2: Create a new Directory using the mkdirs() method

import java.io.File;

class Main{
  public static void main(String[] args){

    // creates a file object in the current path
    File file = new File("Java Tutorial\abc");

    // tries to create a new directory
    boolean value = file.mkdirs();
    if(value) {
      System.out.println("The new directory is created.");
    }
    else {
      System.out.println("The directory already exists.");
    }
  }
}

In the above example, we have created a file object named file. The object includes information about the directory path.

File file = new File("Tutorial\directory");

Here, we have used the mkdirs() method to create a new directory with the specified path.

If the directory doesn’t exist in the current location, the new directory is created and this message is shown.

The new directory is created.

However, if the directory already exists, we will see this message.

The directory already exists.

Here, if the Tutorial directory doesn’t exist, then the mkdirs() method creates the Tutorial directory as well along with the directory.

Note: We have used double-backslash while specifying the path. It is because the  character is used as an escape character in Java. Hence the first backslash is used as an escape character for the second one.