jdk/src/share/classes/javax/imageio/ImageIO.java
changeset 2 90ce3da70b43
child 3014 85cbc1221cc0
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/javax/imageio/ImageIO.java	Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 2007 +0000
@@ -0,0 +1,1609 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2000-2005 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+ *
+ * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation.  Sun designates this
+ * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
+ * by Sun in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
+ *
+ * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+ * accompanied this code).
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
+ * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+ * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ *
+ * Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
+ * CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
+ * have any questions.
+ */
+
+package javax.imageio;
+
+import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
+import java.awt.image.RenderedImage;
+import java.io.File;
+import java.io.InputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+import java.lang.reflect.Method;
+import java.net.URL;
+import java.security.AccessController;
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.HashSet;
+import java.util.Iterator;
+import java.util.NoSuchElementException;
+import java.util.Set;
+import javax.imageio.spi.IIORegistry;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderWriterSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageInputStreamSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageOutputStreamSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ImageTranscoderSpi;
+import javax.imageio.spi.ServiceRegistry;
+import javax.imageio.stream.ImageInputStream;
+import javax.imageio.stream.ImageOutputStream;
+import sun.awt.AppContext;
+import sun.security.action.GetPropertyAction;
+
+/**
+ * A class containing static convenience methods for locating
+ * <code>ImageReader</code>s and <code>ImageWriter</code>s, and
+ * performing simple encoding and decoding.
+ *
+ */
+public final class ImageIO {
+
+    private static final IIORegistry theRegistry =
+        IIORegistry.getDefaultInstance();
+
+    /**
+     * Constructor is private to prevent instantiation.
+     */
+    private ImageIO() {}
+
+    /**
+     * Scans for plug-ins on the application class path,
+     * loads their service provider classes, and registers a service
+     * provider instance for each one found with the
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code>.
+     *
+     * <p>This method is needed because the application class path can
+     * theoretically change, or additional plug-ins may become available.
+     * Rather than re-scanning the classpath on every invocation of the
+     * API, the class path is scanned automatically only on the first
+     * invocation. Clients can call this method to prompt a re-scan.
+     * Thus this method need only be invoked by sophisticated applications
+     * which dynamically make new plug-ins available at runtime.
+     *
+     * <p> The <code>getResources</code> method of the context
+     * <code>ClassLoader</code> is used locate JAR files containing
+     * files named
+     * <code>META-INF/services/javax.imageio.spi.</code><i>classname</i>,
+     * where <i>classname</i> is one of <code>ImageReaderSpi</code>,
+     * <code>ImageWriterSpi</code>, <code>ImageTranscoderSpi</code>,
+     * <code>ImageInputStreamSpi</code>, or
+     * <code>ImageOutputStreamSpi</code>, along the application class
+     * path.
+     *
+     * <p> The contents of the located files indicate the names of
+     * actual implementation classes which implement the
+     * aforementioned service provider interfaces; the default class
+     * loader is then used to load each of these classes and to
+     * instantiate an instance of each class, which is then placed
+     * into the registry for later retrieval.
+     *
+     * <p> The exact set of locations searched depends on the
+     * implementation of the Java runtime enviroment.
+     *
+     * @see ClassLoader#getResources
+     */
+    public static void scanForPlugins() {
+        theRegistry.registerApplicationClasspathSpis();
+    }
+
+    // ImageInputStreams
+
+    /**
+     * A class to hold information about caching.  Each
+     * <code>ThreadGroup</code> will have its own copy
+     * via the <code>AppContext</code> mechanism.
+     */
+    static class CacheInfo {
+        boolean useCache = true;
+        File cacheDirectory = null;
+        Boolean hasPermission = null;
+
+        public CacheInfo() {}
+
+        public boolean getUseCache() {
+            return useCache;
+        }
+
+        public void setUseCache(boolean useCache) {
+            this.useCache = useCache;
+        }
+
+        public File getCacheDirectory() {
+            return cacheDirectory;
+        }
+
+        public void setCacheDirectory(File cacheDirectory) {
+            this.cacheDirectory = cacheDirectory;
+        }
+
+        public Boolean getHasPermission() {
+            return hasPermission;
+        }
+
+        public void setHasPermission(Boolean hasPermission) {
+            this.hasPermission = hasPermission;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the <code>CacheInfo</code> object associated with this
+     * <code>ThreadGroup</code>.
+     */
+    private static synchronized CacheInfo getCacheInfo() {
+        AppContext context = AppContext.getAppContext();
+        CacheInfo info = (CacheInfo)context.get(CacheInfo.class);
+        if (info == null) {
+            info = new CacheInfo();
+            context.put(CacheInfo.class, info);
+        }
+        return info;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the default temporary (cache) directory as defined by the
+     * java.io.tmpdir system property.
+     */
+    private static String getTempDir() {
+        GetPropertyAction a = new GetPropertyAction("java.io.tmpdir");
+        return (String)AccessController.doPrivileged(a);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Determines whether the caller has write access to the cache
+     * directory, stores the result in the <code>CacheInfo</code> object,
+     * and returns the decision.  This method helps to prevent mysterious
+     * SecurityExceptions to be thrown when this convenience class is used
+     * in an applet, for example.
+     */
+    private static boolean hasCachePermission() {
+        Boolean hasPermission = getCacheInfo().getHasPermission();
+
+        if (hasPermission != null) {
+            return hasPermission.booleanValue();
+        } else {
+            try {
+                SecurityManager security = System.getSecurityManager();
+                if (security != null) {
+                    File cachedir = getCacheDirectory();
+                    String cachepath;
+
+                    if (cachedir != null) {
+                        cachepath = cachedir.getPath();
+                    } else {
+                        cachepath = getTempDir();
+
+                        if (cachepath == null) {
+                            getCacheInfo().setHasPermission(Boolean.FALSE);
+                            return false;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    security.checkWrite(cachepath);
+                }
+            } catch (SecurityException e) {
+                getCacheInfo().setHasPermission(Boolean.FALSE);
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            getCacheInfo().setHasPermission(Boolean.TRUE);
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets a flag indicating whether a disk-based cache file should
+     * be used when creating <code>ImageInputStream</code>s and
+     * <code>ImageOutputStream</code>s.
+     *
+     * <p> When reading from a standard <code>InputStream</code>>, it
+     * may be necessary to save previously read information in a cache
+     * since the underlying stream does not allow data to be re-read.
+     * Similarly, when writing to a standard
+     * <code>OutputStream</code>, a cache may be used to allow a
+     * previously written value to be changed before flushing it to
+     * the final destination.
+     *
+     * <p> The cache may reside in main memory or on disk.  Setting
+     * this flag to <code>false</code> disallows the use of disk for
+     * future streams, which may be advantageous when working with
+     * small images, as the overhead of creating and destroying files
+     * is removed.
+     *
+     * <p> On startup, the value is set to <code>true</code>.
+     *
+     * @param useCache a <code>boolean</code> indicating whether a
+     * cache file should be used, in cases where it is optional.
+     *
+     * @see #getUseCache
+     */
+    public static void setUseCache(boolean useCache) {
+        getCacheInfo().setUseCache(useCache);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the current value set by <code>setUseCache</code>, or
+     * <code>true</code> if no explicit setting has been made.
+     *
+     * @return true if a disk-based cache may be used for
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code>s and
+     * <code>ImageOutputStream</code>s.
+     *
+     * @see #setUseCache
+     */
+    public static boolean getUseCache() {
+        return getCacheInfo().getUseCache();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets the directory where cache files are to be created.  A
+     * value of <code>null</code> indicates that the system-dependent
+     * default temporary-file directory is to be used.  If
+     * <code>getUseCache</code> returns false, this value is ignored.
+     *
+     * @param cacheDirectory a <code>File</code> specifying a directory.
+     *
+     * @see File#createTempFile(String, String, File)
+     *
+     * @exception SecurityException if the security manager denies
+     * access to the directory.
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>cacheDir</code> is
+     * non-<code>null</code> but is not a directory.
+     *
+     * @see #getCacheDirectory
+     */
+    public static void setCacheDirectory(File cacheDirectory) {
+        if ((cacheDirectory != null) && !(cacheDirectory.isDirectory())) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Not a directory!");
+        }
+        getCacheInfo().setCacheDirectory(cacheDirectory);
+        getCacheInfo().setHasPermission(null);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the current value set by
+     * <code>setCacheDirectory</code>, or <code>null</code> if no
+     * explicit setting has been made.
+     *
+     * @return a <code>File</code> indicating the directory where
+     * cache files will be created, or <code>null</code> to indicate
+     * the system-dependent default temporary-file directory.
+     *
+     * @see #setCacheDirectory
+     */
+    public static File getCacheDirectory() {
+        return getCacheInfo().getCacheDirectory();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>ImageInputStream</code> that will take its
+     * input from the given <code>Object</code>.  The set of
+     * <code>ImageInputStreamSpi</code>s registered with the
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code> class is queried and the first one
+     * that is able to take input from the supplied object is used to
+     * create the returned <code>ImageInputStream</code>.  If no
+     * suitable <code>ImageInputStreamSpi</code> exists,
+     * <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching.
+     *
+     * @param input an <code>Object</code> to be used as an input
+     * source, such as a <code>File</code>, readable
+     * <code>RandomAccessFile</code>, or <code>InputStream</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>ImageInputStream</code>, or <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>input</code>
+     * is <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if a cache file is needed but cannot be
+     * created.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageInputStreamSpi
+     */
+    public static ImageInputStream createImageInputStream(Object input)
+        throws IOException {
+        if (input == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("input == null!");
+        }
+
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageInputStreamSpi.class,
+                                                   true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        boolean usecache = getUseCache() && hasCachePermission();
+
+        while (iter.hasNext()) {
+            ImageInputStreamSpi spi = (ImageInputStreamSpi)iter.next();
+            if (spi.getInputClass().isInstance(input)) {
+                try {
+                    return spi.createInputStreamInstance(input,
+                                                         usecache,
+                                                         getCacheDirectory());
+                } catch (IOException e) {
+                    throw new IIOException("Can't create cache file!", e);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    // ImageOutputStreams
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>ImageOutputStream</code> that will send its
+     * output to the given <code>Object</code>.  The set of
+     * <code>ImageOutputStreamSpi</code>s registered with the
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code> class is queried and the first one
+     * that is able to send output from the supplied object is used to
+     * create the returned <code>ImageOutputStream</code>.  If no
+     * suitable <code>ImageOutputStreamSpi</code> exists,
+     * <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching.
+     *
+     * @param output an <code>Object</code> to be used as an output
+     * destination, such as a <code>File</code>, writable
+     * <code>RandomAccessFile</code>, or <code>OutputStream</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>ImageOutputStream</code>, or
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>output</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if a cache file is needed but cannot be
+     * created.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageOutputStreamSpi
+     */
+    public static ImageOutputStream createImageOutputStream(Object output)
+        throws IOException {
+        if (output == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("output == null!");
+        }
+
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageOutputStreamSpi.class,
+                                                   true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        boolean usecache = getUseCache() && hasCachePermission();
+
+        while (iter.hasNext()) {
+            ImageOutputStreamSpi spi = (ImageOutputStreamSpi)iter.next();
+            if (spi.getOutputClass().isInstance(output)) {
+                try {
+                    return spi.createOutputStreamInstance(output,
+                                                          usecache,
+                                                          getCacheDirectory());
+                } catch (IOException e) {
+                    throw new IIOException("Can't create cache file!", e);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static enum SpiInfo {
+        FORMAT_NAMES {
+            @Override
+            String[] info(ImageReaderWriterSpi spi) {
+                return spi.getFormatNames();
+            }
+        },
+        MIME_TYPES {
+            @Override
+            String[] info(ImageReaderWriterSpi spi) {
+                return spi.getMIMETypes();
+            }
+        },
+        FILE_SUFFIXES {
+            @Override
+            String[] info(ImageReaderWriterSpi spi) {
+                return spi.getFileSuffixes();
+            }
+        };
+
+        abstract String[] info(ImageReaderWriterSpi spi);
+    }
+
+    private static <S extends ImageReaderWriterSpi>
+        String[] getReaderWriterInfo(Class<S> spiClass, SpiInfo spiInfo)
+    {
+        // Ensure category is present
+        Iterator<S> iter;
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(spiClass, true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return new String[0];
+        }
+
+        HashSet<String> s = new HashSet<String>();
+        while (iter.hasNext()) {
+            ImageReaderWriterSpi spi = iter.next();
+            Collections.addAll(s, spiInfo.info(spi));
+        }
+
+        return s.toArray(new String[s.size()]);
+    }
+
+    // Readers
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * informal format names understood by the current set of registered
+     * readers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     */
+    public static String[] getReaderFormatNames() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.FORMAT_NAMES);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * MIME types understood by the current set of registered
+     * readers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     */
+    public static String[] getReaderMIMETypes() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.MIME_TYPES);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * file suffixes associated with the formats understood
+     * by the current set of registered readers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     * @since 1.6
+     */
+    public static String[] getReaderFileSuffixes() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.FILE_SUFFIXES);
+    }
+
+    static class ImageReaderIterator implements Iterator<ImageReader> {
+        // Contains ImageReaderSpis
+        public Iterator iter;
+
+        public ImageReaderIterator(Iterator iter) {
+            this.iter = iter;
+        }
+
+        public boolean hasNext() {
+            return iter.hasNext();
+        }
+
+        public ImageReader next() {
+            ImageReaderSpi spi = null;
+            try {
+                spi = (ImageReaderSpi)iter.next();
+                return spi.createReaderInstance();
+            } catch (IOException e) {
+                // Deregister the spi in this case, but only as
+                // an ImageReaderSpi
+                theRegistry.deregisterServiceProvider(spi, ImageReaderSpi.class);
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public void remove() {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        }
+    }
+
+    static class CanDecodeInputFilter
+        implements ServiceRegistry.Filter {
+
+        Object input;
+
+        public CanDecodeInputFilter(Object input) {
+            this.input = input;
+        }
+
+        public boolean filter(Object elt) {
+            try {
+                ImageReaderSpi spi = (ImageReaderSpi)elt;
+                ImageInputStream stream = null;
+                if (input instanceof ImageInputStream) {
+                    stream = (ImageInputStream)input;
+                }
+
+                // Perform mark/reset as a defensive measure
+                // even though plug-ins are supposed to take
+                // care of it.
+                boolean canDecode = false;
+                if (stream != null) {
+                    stream.mark();
+                }
+                canDecode = spi.canDecodeInput(input);
+                if (stream != null) {
+                    stream.reset();
+                }
+
+                return canDecode;
+            } catch (IOException e) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    static class CanEncodeImageAndFormatFilter
+        implements ServiceRegistry.Filter {
+
+        ImageTypeSpecifier type;
+        String formatName;
+
+        public CanEncodeImageAndFormatFilter(ImageTypeSpecifier type,
+                                             String formatName) {
+            this.type = type;
+            this.formatName = formatName;
+        }
+
+        public boolean filter(Object elt) {
+            ImageWriterSpi spi = (ImageWriterSpi)elt;
+            return Arrays.asList(spi.getFormatNames()).contains(formatName) &&
+                spi.canEncodeImage(type);
+        }
+    }
+
+    static class ContainsFilter
+        implements ServiceRegistry.Filter {
+
+        Method method;
+        String name;
+
+        // method returns an array of Strings
+        public ContainsFilter(Method method,
+                              String name) {
+            this.method = method;
+            this.name = name;
+        }
+
+        public boolean filter(Object elt) {
+            try {
+                return contains((String[])method.invoke(elt), name);
+            } catch (Exception e) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageReader</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * decode the supplied <code>Object</code>, typically an
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code>.
+     *
+     * <p> The stream position is left at its prior position upon
+     * exit from this method.
+     *
+     * @param input an <code>ImageInputStream</code> or other
+     * <code>Object</code> containing encoded image data.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing <code>ImageReader</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>input</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi#canDecodeInput
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageReader> getImageReaders(Object input) {
+        if (input == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("input == null!");
+        }
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                              new CanDecodeInputFilter(input),
+                                              true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+
+        return new ImageReaderIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    private static Method readerFormatNamesMethod;
+    private static Method readerFileSuffixesMethod;
+    private static Method readerMIMETypesMethod;
+    private static Method writerFormatNamesMethod;
+    private static Method writerFileSuffixesMethod;
+    private static Method writerMIMETypesMethod;
+
+    static {
+        try {
+            readerFormatNamesMethod =
+                ImageReaderSpi.class.getMethod("getFormatNames");
+            readerFileSuffixesMethod =
+                ImageReaderSpi.class.getMethod("getFileSuffixes");
+            readerMIMETypesMethod =
+                ImageReaderSpi.class.getMethod("getMIMETypes");
+
+            writerFormatNamesMethod =
+                ImageWriterSpi.class.getMethod("getFormatNames");
+            writerFileSuffixesMethod =
+                ImageWriterSpi.class.getMethod("getFileSuffixes");
+            writerMIMETypesMethod =
+                ImageWriterSpi.class.getMethod("getMIMETypes");
+        } catch (NoSuchMethodException e) {
+            e.printStackTrace();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageReader</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * decode the named format.
+     *
+     * @param formatName a <code>String</code> containing the informal
+     * name of a format (<i>e.g.</i>, "jpeg" or "tiff".
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>formatName</code>
+     * is <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi#getFormatNames
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageReader>
+        getImageReadersByFormatName(String formatName)
+    {
+        if (formatName == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("formatName == null!");
+        }
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                    new ContainsFilter(readerFormatNamesMethod,
+                                                       formatName),
+                                                true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageReaderIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageReader</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * decode files with the given suffix.
+     *
+     * @param fileSuffix a <code>String</code> containing a file
+     * suffix (<i>e.g.</i>, "jpg" or "tiff").
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>fileSuffix</code>
+     * is <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi#getFileSuffixes
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageReader>
+        getImageReadersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)
+    {
+        if (fileSuffix == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("fileSuffix == null!");
+        }
+        // Ensure category is present
+        Iterator iter;
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                   new ContainsFilter(readerFileSuffixesMethod,
+                                                      fileSuffix),
+                                              true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageReaderIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageReader</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * decode files with the given MIME type.
+     *
+     * @param MIMEType a <code>String</code> containing a file
+     * suffix (<i>e.g.</i>, "image/jpeg" or "image/x-bmp").
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>MIMEType</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi#getMIMETypes
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageReader>
+        getImageReadersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)
+    {
+        if (MIMEType == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("MIMEType == null!");
+        }
+        // Ensure category is present
+        Iterator iter;
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                      new ContainsFilter(readerMIMETypesMethod,
+                                                         MIMEType),
+                                              true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageReaderIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    // Writers
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * informal format names understood by the current set of registered
+     * writers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     */
+    public static String[] getWriterFormatNames() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.FORMAT_NAMES);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * MIME types understood by the current set of registered
+     * writers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     */
+    public static String[] getWriterMIMETypes() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.MIME_TYPES);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an array of <code>String</code>s listing all of the
+     * file suffixes associated with the formats understood
+     * by the current set of registered writers.
+     *
+     * @return an array of <code>String</code>s.
+     * @since 1.6
+     */
+    public static String[] getWriterFileSuffixes() {
+        return getReaderWriterInfo(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                   SpiInfo.FILE_SUFFIXES);
+    }
+
+    static class ImageWriterIterator implements Iterator<ImageWriter> {
+        // Contains ImageWriterSpis
+        public Iterator iter;
+
+        public ImageWriterIterator(Iterator iter) {
+            this.iter = iter;
+        }
+
+        public boolean hasNext() {
+            return iter.hasNext();
+        }
+
+        public ImageWriter next() {
+            ImageWriterSpi spi = null;
+            try {
+                spi = (ImageWriterSpi)iter.next();
+                return spi.createWriterInstance();
+            } catch (IOException e) {
+                // Deregister the spi in this case, but only as a writerSpi
+                theRegistry.deregisterServiceProvider(spi, ImageWriterSpi.class);
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public void remove() {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static boolean contains(String[] names, String name) {
+        for (int i = 0; i < names.length; i++) {
+            if (name.equalsIgnoreCase(names[i])) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageWriter</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * encode the named format.
+     *
+     * @param formatName a <code>String</code> containing the informal
+     * name of a format (<i>e.g.</i>, "jpeg" or "tiff".
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing
+     * <code>ImageWriter</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>formatName</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi#getFormatNames
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageWriter>
+        getImageWritersByFormatName(String formatName)
+    {
+        if (formatName == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("formatName == null!");
+        }
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                    new ContainsFilter(writerFormatNamesMethod,
+                                                       formatName),
+                                            true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageWriterIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageWriter</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * encode files with the given suffix.
+     *
+     * @param fileSuffix a <code>String</code> containing a file
+     * suffix (<i>e.g.</i>, "jpg" or "tiff").
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing <code>ImageWriter</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>fileSuffix</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi#getFileSuffixes
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageWriter>
+        getImageWritersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)
+    {
+        if (fileSuffix == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("fileSuffix == null!");
+        }
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                   new ContainsFilter(writerFileSuffixesMethod,
+                                                      fileSuffix),
+                                            true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageWriterIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageWriter</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * encode files with the given MIME type.
+     *
+     * @param MIMEType a <code>String</code> containing a file
+     * suffix (<i>e.g.</i>, "image/jpeg" or "image/x-bmp").
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing <code>ImageWriter</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>MIMEType</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi#getMIMETypes
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageWriter>
+        getImageWritersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)
+    {
+        if (MIMEType == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("MIMEType == null!");
+        }
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                      new ContainsFilter(writerMIMETypesMethod,
+                                                         MIMEType),
+                                            true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageWriterIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>ImageWriter</code>corresponding to the given
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>, if there is one, or <code>null</code>
+     * if the plug-in for this <code>ImageReader</code> does not
+     * specify a corresponding <code>ImageWriter</code>, or if the
+     * given <code>ImageReader</code> is not registered.  This
+     * mechanism may be used to obtain an <code>ImageWriter</code>
+     * that will understand the internal structure of non-pixel
+     * metadata (as encoded by <code>IIOMetadata</code> objects)
+     * generated by the <code>ImageReader</code>.  By obtaining this
+     * data from the <code>ImageReader</code> and passing it on to the
+     * <code>ImageWriter</code> obtained with this method, a client
+     * program can read an image, modify it in some way, and write it
+     * back out preserving all metadata, without having to understand
+     * anything about the structure of the metadata, or even about
+     * the image format.  Note that this method returns the
+     * "preferred" writer, which is the first in the list returned by
+     * <code>javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi.getImageWriterSpiNames()</code>.
+     *
+     * @param reader an instance of a registered <code>ImageReader</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>ImageWriter</code>, or null.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>reader</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see #getImageReader(ImageWriter)
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi#getImageWriterSpiNames()
+     */
+    public static ImageWriter getImageWriter(ImageReader reader) {
+        if (reader == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("reader == null!");
+        }
+
+        ImageReaderSpi readerSpi = reader.getOriginatingProvider();
+        if (readerSpi == null) {
+            Iterator readerSpiIter;
+            // Ensure category is present
+            try {
+                readerSpiIter =
+                    theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageReaderSpi.class,
+                                                    false);
+            } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            while (readerSpiIter.hasNext()) {
+                ImageReaderSpi temp = (ImageReaderSpi) readerSpiIter.next();
+                if (temp.isOwnReader(reader)) {
+                    readerSpi = temp;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            if (readerSpi == null) {
+                return null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        String[] writerNames = readerSpi.getImageWriterSpiNames();
+        if (writerNames == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        Class writerSpiClass = null;
+        try {
+            writerSpiClass = Class.forName(writerNames[0], true,
+                                           ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader());
+        } catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        ImageWriterSpi writerSpi = (ImageWriterSpi)
+            theRegistry.getServiceProviderByClass(writerSpiClass);
+        if (writerSpi == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            return writerSpi.createWriterInstance();
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            // Deregister the spi in this case, but only as a writerSpi
+            theRegistry.deregisterServiceProvider(writerSpi,
+                                                  ImageWriterSpi.class);
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>ImageReader</code>corresponding to the given
+     * <code>ImageWriter</code>, if there is one, or <code>null</code>
+     * if the plug-in for this <code>ImageWriter</code> does not
+     * specify a corresponding <code>ImageReader</code>, or if the
+     * given <code>ImageWriter</code> is not registered.  This method
+     * is provided principally for symmetry with
+     * <code>getImageWriter(ImageReader)</code>.  Note that this
+     * method returns the "preferred" reader, which is the first in
+     * the list returned by
+     * javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi.<code>getImageReaderSpiNames()</code>.
+     *
+     * @param writer an instance of a registered <code>ImageWriter</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>ImageReader</code>, or null.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>writer</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see #getImageWriter(ImageReader)
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi#getImageReaderSpiNames()
+     */
+    public static ImageReader getImageReader(ImageWriter writer) {
+        if (writer == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("writer == null!");
+        }
+
+        ImageWriterSpi writerSpi = writer.getOriginatingProvider();
+        if (writerSpi == null) {
+            Iterator writerSpiIter;
+            // Ensure category is present
+            try {
+                writerSpiIter =
+                    theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                                    false);
+            } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            while (writerSpiIter.hasNext()) {
+                ImageWriterSpi temp = (ImageWriterSpi) writerSpiIter.next();
+                if (temp.isOwnWriter(writer)) {
+                    writerSpi = temp;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            if (writerSpi == null) {
+                return null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        String[] readerNames = writerSpi.getImageReaderSpiNames();
+        if (readerNames == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        Class readerSpiClass = null;
+        try {
+            readerSpiClass = Class.forName(readerNames[0], true,
+                                           ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader());
+        } catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        ImageReaderSpi readerSpi = (ImageReaderSpi)
+            theRegistry.getServiceProviderByClass(readerSpiClass);
+        if (readerSpi == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            return readerSpi.createReaderInstance();
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            // Deregister the spi in this case, but only as a readerSpi
+            theRegistry.deregisterServiceProvider(readerSpi,
+                                                  ImageReaderSpi.class);
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageWriter</code>s that claim to be able to
+     * encode images of the given layout (specified using an
+     * <code>ImageTypeSpecifier</code>) in the given format.
+     *
+     * @param type an <code>ImageTypeSpecifier</code> indicating the
+     * layout of the image to be written.
+     * @param formatName the informal name of the <code>format</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing <code>ImageWriter</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if any parameter is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @see javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi#canEncodeImage(ImageTypeSpecifier)
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageWriter>
+        getImageWriters(ImageTypeSpecifier type, String formatName)
+    {
+        if (type == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("type == null!");
+        }
+        if (formatName == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("formatName == null!");
+        }
+
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageWriterSpi.class,
+                                 new CanEncodeImageAndFormatFilter(type,
+                                                                   formatName),
+                                            true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+
+        return new ImageWriterIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    static class ImageTranscoderIterator
+        implements Iterator<ImageTranscoder>
+    {
+        // Contains ImageTranscoderSpis
+        public Iterator iter;
+
+        public ImageTranscoderIterator(Iterator iter) {
+            this.iter = iter;
+        }
+
+        public boolean hasNext() {
+            return iter.hasNext();
+        }
+
+        public ImageTranscoder next() {
+            ImageTranscoderSpi spi = null;
+            spi = (ImageTranscoderSpi)iter.next();
+            return spi.createTranscoderInstance();
+        }
+
+        public void remove() {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        }
+    }
+
+    static class TranscoderFilter
+        implements ServiceRegistry.Filter {
+
+        String readerSpiName;
+        String writerSpiName;
+
+        public TranscoderFilter(ImageReaderSpi readerSpi,
+                                ImageWriterSpi writerSpi) {
+            this.readerSpiName = readerSpi.getClass().getName();
+            this.writerSpiName = writerSpi.getClass().getName();
+        }
+
+        public boolean filter(Object elt) {
+            ImageTranscoderSpi spi = (ImageTranscoderSpi)elt;
+            String readerName = spi.getReaderServiceProviderName();
+            String writerName = spi.getWriterServiceProviderName();
+            return (readerName.equals(readerSpiName) &&
+                    writerName.equals(writerSpiName));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an <code>Iterator</code> containing all currently
+     * registered <code>ImageTranscoder</code>s that claim to be
+     * able to transcode between the metadata of the given
+     * <code>ImageReader</code> and <code>ImageWriter</code>.
+     *
+     * @param reader an <code>ImageReader</code>.
+     * @param writer an <code>ImageWriter</code>.
+     *
+     * @return an <code>Iterator</code> containing
+     * <code>ImageTranscoder</code>s.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>reader</code> or
+     * <code>writer</code> is <code>null</code>.
+     */
+    public static Iterator<ImageTranscoder>
+        getImageTranscoders(ImageReader reader, ImageWriter writer)
+    {
+        if (reader == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("reader == null!");
+        }
+        if (writer == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("writer == null!");
+        }
+        ImageReaderSpi readerSpi = reader.getOriginatingProvider();
+        ImageWriterSpi writerSpi = writer.getOriginatingProvider();
+        ServiceRegistry.Filter filter =
+            new TranscoderFilter(readerSpi, writerSpi);
+
+        Iterator iter;
+        // Ensure category is present
+        try {
+            iter = theRegistry.getServiceProviders(ImageTranscoderSpi.class,
+                                            filter, true);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            return Collections.emptyIterator();
+        }
+        return new ImageTranscoderIterator(iter);
+    }
+
+    // All-in-one methods
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a <code>BufferedImage</code> as the result of decoding
+     * a supplied <code>File</code> with an <code>ImageReader</code>
+     * chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
+     * The <code>File</code> is wrapped in an
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code>.  If no registered
+     * <code>ImageReader</code> claims to be able to read the
+     * resulting stream, <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching in the
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code> that is created.
+     *
+     * <p> Note that there is no <code>read</code> method that takes a
+     * filename as a <code>String</code>; use this method instead after
+     * creating a <code>File</code> from the filename.
+     *
+     * <p> This method does not attempt to locate
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s that can read directly from a
+     * <code>File</code>; that may be accomplished using
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code> and <code>ImageReaderSpi</code>.
+     *
+     * @param input a <code>File</code> to read from.
+     *
+     * @return a <code>BufferedImage</code> containing the decoded
+     * contents of the input, or <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>input</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during reading.
+     */
+    public static BufferedImage read(File input) throws IOException {
+        if (input == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("input == null!");
+        }
+        if (!input.canRead()) {
+            throw new IIOException("Can't read input file!");
+        }
+
+        ImageInputStream stream = createImageInputStream(input);
+        if (stream == null) {
+            throw new IIOException("Can't create an ImageInputStream!");
+        }
+        BufferedImage bi = read(stream);
+        if (bi == null) {
+            stream.close();
+        }
+        return bi;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a <code>BufferedImage</code> as the result of decoding
+     * a supplied <code>InputStream</code> with an <code>ImageReader</code>
+     * chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
+     * The <code>InputStream</code> is wrapped in an
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code>.  If no registered
+     * <code>ImageReader</code> claims to be able to read the
+     * resulting stream, <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching in the
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code> that is created.
+     *
+     * <p> This method does not attempt to locate
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s that can read directly from an
+     * <code>InputStream</code>; that may be accomplished using
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code> and <code>ImageReaderSpi</code>.
+     *
+     * <p> This method <em>does not</em> close the provided
+     * <code>InputStream</code> after the read operation has completed;
+     * it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.
+     *
+     * @param input an <code>InputStream</code> to read from.
+     *
+     * @return a <code>BufferedImage</code> containing the decoded
+     * contents of the input, or <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>input</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during reading.
+     */
+    public static BufferedImage read(InputStream input) throws IOException {
+        if (input == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("input == null!");
+        }
+
+        ImageInputStream stream = createImageInputStream(input);
+        BufferedImage bi = read(stream);
+        if (bi == null) {
+            stream.close();
+        }
+        return bi;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a <code>BufferedImage</code> as the result of decoding
+     * a supplied <code>URL</code> with an <code>ImageReader</code>
+     * chosen automatically from among those currently registered.  An
+     * <code>InputStream</code> is obtained from the <code>URL</code>,
+     * which is wrapped in an <code>ImageInputStream</code>.  If no
+     * registered <code>ImageReader</code> claims to be able to read
+     * the resulting stream, <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching in the
+     * <code>ImageInputStream</code> that is created.
+     *
+     * <p> This method does not attempt to locate
+     * <code>ImageReader</code>s that can read directly from a
+     * <code>URL</code>; that may be accomplished using
+     * <code>IIORegistry</code> and <code>ImageReaderSpi</code>.
+     *
+     * @param input a <code>URL</code> to read from.
+     *
+     * @return a <code>BufferedImage</code> containing the decoded
+     * contents of the input, or <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>input</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during reading.
+     */
+    public static BufferedImage read(URL input) throws IOException {
+        if (input == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("input == null!");
+        }
+
+        InputStream istream = null;
+        try {
+            istream = input.openStream();
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new IIOException("Can't get input stream from URL!", e);
+        }
+        ImageInputStream stream = createImageInputStream(istream);
+        BufferedImage bi;
+        try {
+            bi = read(stream);
+            if (bi == null) {
+                stream.close();
+            }
+        } finally {
+            istream.close();
+        }
+        return bi;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a <code>BufferedImage</code> as the result of decoding
+     * a supplied <code>ImageInputStream</code> with an
+     * <code>ImageReader</code> chosen automatically from among those
+     * currently registered.  If no registered
+     * <code>ImageReader</code> claims to be able to read the stream,
+     * <code>null</code> is returned.
+     *
+     * <p> Unlike most other methods in this class, this method <em>does</em>
+     * close the provided <code>ImageInputStream</code> after the read
+     * operation has completed, unless <code>null</code> is returned,
+     * in which case this method <em>does not</em> close the stream.
+     *
+     * @param stream an <code>ImageInputStream</code> to read from.
+     *
+     * @return a <code>BufferedImage</code> containing the decoded
+     * contents of the input, or <code>null</code>.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if <code>stream</code> is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during reading.
+     */
+    public static BufferedImage read(ImageInputStream stream)
+        throws IOException {
+        if (stream == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("stream == null!");
+        }
+
+        Iterator iter = getImageReaders(stream);
+        if (!iter.hasNext()) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        ImageReader reader = (ImageReader)iter.next();
+        ImageReadParam param = reader.getDefaultReadParam();
+        reader.setInput(stream, true, true);
+        BufferedImage bi;
+        try {
+            bi = reader.read(0, param);
+        } finally {
+            reader.dispose();
+            stream.close();
+        }
+        return bi;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Writes an image using the an arbitrary <code>ImageWriter</code>
+     * that supports the given format to an
+     * <code>ImageOutputStream</code>.  The image is written to the
+     * <code>ImageOutputStream</code> starting at the current stream
+     * pointer, overwriting existing stream data from that point
+     * forward, if present.
+     *
+     * <p> This method <em>does not</em> close the provided
+     * <code>ImageOutputStream</code> after the write operation has completed;
+     * it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.
+     *
+     * @param im a <code>RenderedImage</code> to be written.
+     * @param formatName a <code>String</code> containg the informal
+     * name of the format.
+     * @param output an <code>ImageOutputStream</code> to be written to.
+     *
+     * @return <code>false</code> if no appropriate writer is found.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if any parameter is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during writing.
+     */
+    public static boolean write(RenderedImage im,
+                                String formatName,
+                                ImageOutputStream output) throws IOException {
+        if (im == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("im == null!");
+        }
+        if (formatName == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("formatName == null!");
+        }
+        if (output == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("output == null!");
+        }
+
+        return doWrite(im, getWriter(im, formatName), output);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Writes an image using an arbitrary <code>ImageWriter</code>
+     * that supports the given format to a <code>File</code>.  If
+     * there is already a <code>File</code> present, its contents are
+     * discarded.
+     *
+     * @param im a <code>RenderedImage</code> to be written.
+     * @param formatName a <code>String</code> containg the informal
+     * name of the format.
+     * @param output a <code>File</code> to be written to.
+     *
+     * @return <code>false</code> if no appropriate writer is found.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if any parameter is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during writing.
+     */
+    public static boolean write(RenderedImage im,
+                                String formatName,
+                                File output) throws IOException {
+        if (output == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("output == null!");
+        }
+        ImageOutputStream stream = null;
+
+        ImageWriter writer = getWriter(im, formatName);
+        if (writer == null) {
+            /* Do not make changes in the file system if we have
+             * no appropriate writer.
+             */
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            output.delete();
+            stream = createImageOutputStream(output);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new IIOException("Can't create output stream!", e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            return doWrite(im, writer, stream);
+        } finally {
+            stream.close();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Writes an image using an arbitrary <code>ImageWriter</code>
+     * that supports the given format to an <code>OutputStream</code>.
+     *
+     * <p> This method <em>does not</em> close the provided
+     * <code>OutputStream</code> after the write operation has completed;
+     * it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.
+     *
+     * <p> The current cache settings from <code>getUseCache</code>and
+     * <code>getCacheDirectory</code> will be used to control caching.
+     *
+     * @param im a <code>RenderedImage</code> to be written.
+     * @param formatName a <code>String</code> containg the informal
+     * name of the format.
+     * @param output an <code>OutputStream</code> to be written to.
+     *
+     * @return <code>false</code> if no appropriate writer is found.
+     *
+     * @exception IllegalArgumentException if any parameter is
+     * <code>null</code>.
+     * @exception IOException if an error occurs during writing.
+     */
+    public static boolean write(RenderedImage im,
+                                String formatName,
+                                OutputStream output) throws IOException {
+        if (output == null) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("output == null!");
+        }
+        ImageOutputStream stream = null;
+        try {
+            stream = createImageOutputStream(output);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new IIOException("Can't create output stream!", e);
+        }
+
+        try {
+            return doWrite(im, getWriter(im, formatName), stream);
+        } finally {
+            stream.close();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns <code>ImageWriter</code> instance according to given
+     * rendered image and image format or <code>null</code> if there
+     * is no appropriate writer.
+     */
+    private static ImageWriter getWriter(RenderedImage im,
+                                         String formatName) {
+        ImageTypeSpecifier type =
+            ImageTypeSpecifier.createFromRenderedImage(im);
+        Iterator<ImageWriter> iter = getImageWriters(type, formatName);
+
+        if (iter.hasNext()) {
+            return iter.next();
+        } else {
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Writes image to output stream  using given image writer.
+     */
+    private static boolean doWrite(RenderedImage im, ImageWriter writer,
+                                 ImageOutputStream output) throws IOException {
+        if (writer == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        writer.setOutput(output);
+        try {
+            writer.write(im);
+        } finally {
+            writer.dispose();
+            output.flush();
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+}