Java

Set a Remote FTP File's Last-Modified Time

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ftp2.SetRemoteFileDateTimeStr method, which sets the last-modified time of a remote file. The first argument is an RFC 822 date-time string and the second is the remote filename.

Background: An upload normally leaves the remote file stamped with the time it arrived, which loses the original modification time — a problem for backups, mirrors, and timestamp-based sync. This method restores it, and Chilkat converts the supplied time to UTC before sending a server-supported command (typically MFMT). Whether it is honored depends on the server implementing such a command and granting permission.

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import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.ChilkatException;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.Ftp2;

public class ChilkatExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Demonstrates the Ftp2.SetRemoteFileDateTimeStr method, which sets the last-modified time of a
        // remote file.  The 1st argument is an RFC 822 date-time string and the 2nd is the remote
        // filename.

        Ftp2 ftp = new Ftp2();

        ftp.setHostname("ftp.example.com");
        ftp.setUsername("myFtpLogin");

        // Normally you would not hard-code the password in source.  You should instead obtain it
        // from an interactive prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
        ftp.setPassword("myPassword");

        try {
            ftp.connect();

            // Chilkat converts the date to UTC and sends a server-supported timestamp-setting command.
            ftp.setRemoteFileDateTimeStr("Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:15:30 -0600", "public_html/report.pdf");
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

        System.out.println("Remote file timestamp set.");

        try {
            ftp.disconnect();
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }
    }
}