How to get the icon for a file extension or filetype without creating a temp file?

Question

I list some filenames with their icons (like the ones in the Windows Explorer) in a JTable. I know the two ways to get the icon if I have a File ob

Answer 1

Looks like you already discovered the way to do it, unless you want to dive into native libraries etc.

FileSystemView uses Win32ShellFolder internally so they are basically the same.

I also dug up the Source for org.eclipse.swt.program.Program and with it org.eclipse.swt.internal.win32.OS. The OS class then uses a native call for the Icon. At this point unless you really really cannot create a Temp File i would not go down that path.

For JDIC i only found http://kickjava.com/src/org/jdesktop/jdic/tray/internal/impl/WinTrayIconService.java.htm with a little bit of digging(may not be related but does icony things :D). Also calls native.

Answer 2

Do you really need the temporary file to use the first option? A File does not have to denote a file that actually exists...