This package provides general purpose I/O utility components. The {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.MemoryFileOperations} class can be used as a {@code FileOperations} implementation performing I/O in memory without actually performing any real system I/O at all. It is best used for small amounts of data which can be obtained as an array of bytes easily. The {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.RandomAccessFileOperations} class can be used as a {@code FileOperations} implementation performing real system I/O backed by a {@code RandomAccessFile}.

When writing I/O intensive applications cacheing may become a concern. This package provides two general purpose cache implementations for use with {@code FileOperations} implementations. The {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.ReadAheadFileOperations} cache implementation may reduce I/O when reading most of the time. The {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.CoalescingFileOperations} cache implementation may reduce I/O when writing most of the time. In rare circumstances a combination of the two implementations may also reduce I/O. Cacheing should be used with caution. It may not be the correct way to solve a problem which could be solved elsewhere in a more efficient way. If you encounter performance degradation of your application caused by too much I/O operations, the following considerations should be taken into account, before using any of the provided cache implementations. First of all, try to reduce the number of I/O operations by carefully reviewing your application. Also collect some profiling results at this point. Only if you see no way in decreasing the number of I/O operations performed by your application, consider using one of the provided cache implementations. Use the {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.ReadAheadFileOperations} cache implementation if reading most of the time and the {@link org.jdtaus.core.io.util.CoalescingFileOperations} cache implementation if writing most of the time to reduce I/O gaining more throughput. Make sure to always measure the results and compare with what you collected without cacheing.