# Mix v1.10.3 Mix.Generator View Source

Conveniences for working with paths and generating content.

# Link to this section Summary

## Functions

copy_file(source, target, options \\ [])

Copies `source` to `target`.

copy_template(source, target, assigns, options \\ [])

Evaluates and copy templates at `source` to `target`.

create_directory(path, options \\ [])

Creates a directory if one does not exist yet.

create_file(path, contents, opts \\ [])

Creates a file with the given contents.

embed_template(name, contents)

Embeds a template given by `contents` into the current module.

embed_text(name, contents)

Embeds a text given by `contents` into the current module.

overwrite?(path)

Prompts the user to overwrite the file if it exists.

overwrite?(path, contents)

Prompts the user to overwrite the file if it exists.

# Link to this section Functions

Link to this function

# copy_file(source, target, options \\ [])

View Source (since 1.9.0)

## Specs

    copy_file(Path.t(), Path.t(), keyword()) :: boolean()

Copies `source` to `target`.

If `target` already exists and the contents are not the same, it asks for user confirmation.

## Options

- `:force` - forces copying without a shell prompt
- `:quiet` - does not log command output

## Examples

    iex> Mix.Generator.copy_file("source/gitignore", ".gitignore", "_build\ndeps\n")
    * creating .gitignore
    true

Link to this function

# copy_template(source, target, assigns, options \\ [])

View Source (since 1.9.0)

## Specs

    copy_template(Path.t(), Path.t(), keyword(), keyword()) :: boolean()

Evaluates and copy templates at `source` to `target`.

The template in `source` is evaluated with the given `assigns`.

If `target` already exists and the contents are not the same, it asks for user confirmation.

## Options

- `:force` - forces copying without a shell prompt
- `:quiet` - does not log command output

## Examples

    iex> Mix.Generator.copy_template("source/gitignore", ".gitignore", [project_path: path])
    * creating .gitignore
    true

Link to this function

# create_directory(path, options \\ [])

View Source

## Specs

    create_directory(Path.t(), keyword()) :: true

Creates a directory if one does not exist yet.

This function does nothing if the given directory already exists; in this case, it still logs the directory creation.

## Options

- `:quiet` - does not log command output

## Examples

    iex> Mix.Generator.create_directory("path/to/dir")
    * creating path/to/dir
    true

Link to this function

# create_file(path, contents, opts \\ [])

View Source

## Specs

    create_file(Path.t(), iodata(), keyword()) :: boolean()

Creates a file with the given contents.

If the file already exists and the contents are not the same, it asks for user confirmation.

## Options

- `:force` - forces creation without a shell prompt
- `:quiet` - does not log command output

## Examples

    iex> Mix.Generator.create_file(".gitignore", "_build\ndeps\n")
    * creating .gitignore
    true

Link to this macro

# embed_template(name, contents)

View Source (macro)

Embeds a template given by `contents` into the current module.

It will define a private function with the `name` followed by `_template` that expects assigns as arguments.

This function must be invoked passing a keyword list. Each key in the keyword list can be accessed in the template using the `@` macro.

For more information, check `EEx.SmartEngine`.

## Examples

    defmodule Mix.Tasks.MyTask do
      require Mix.Generator
      Mix.Generator.embed_template(:log, "Log: <%= @log %>")
    end

Link to this macro

# embed_text(name, contents)

View Source (macro)

Embeds a text given by `contents` into the current module.

It will define a private function with the `name` followed by `_text` that expects no arguments.

## Examples

    defmodule Mix.Tasks.MyTask do
      require Mix.Generator
      Mix.Generator.embed_text(:error, "There was an error!")
    end

Link to this function

# overwrite?(path)

View Source (since 1.9.0)

## Specs

    overwrite?(Path.t()) :: boolean()

Prompts the user to overwrite the file if it exists.

Returns false if the file exists and the user forbade to override it. Returns true otherwise.

Link to this function

# overwrite?(path, contents)

View Source (since 1.9.0)

## Specs

    overwrite?(Path.t(), iodata()) :: boolean()

Prompts the user to overwrite the file if it exists.

The contents are compared to avoid asking the user to override if the contents did not change. Returns false if the file exists and the content is the same or the user forbade to override it. Returns true otherwise.