# Input/Output Operations

In the Filter Java API, input and output can be either a physical file accessed through a file path, or a Java stream. Depending on the method signature you use, you can create the following filtering processes:

- filter an input file to output file
- filter an input file to an output stream
- filter an input stream to an output stream
- filter an input stream to an output file
- filter an input file and return one chunk of data at a time
- filter an input stream and return one chunk of data at a time

Many methods in the Java API have method signatures supporting one or more of these filtering processes. When you select a method, ensure you use the correct signature for the desired input and output type.

The input source can be set by calling the `setInputSource` method, or when using the `doFilter`, `canFilter`, `canFilterEx`, `getDocFormatInfo`, or `getSummaryInfo` methods. The latter methods take the input source as one of their parameters.

NOTE: When the input source is from a Java stream, Filter creates an internal buffer from the stream. If the input is a large file, Micro Focus recommends that you use a file as the input source.

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