directory handling functions php

PHP directory handling

PHP provides directory functions for opening folders, reading entries, checking paths, creating directories and removing empty directories. Start with the simplest operation you need, and validate every path before using it.

$dir = __DIR__ . '/uploads';
if (is_dir($dir)) {
    foreach (scandir($dir) as $entry) {
        if ($entry !== '.' && $entry !== '..') {
            echo htmlspecialchars($entry) . '<br>';
        }
    }
}

This example shows the recommended starting pattern. Continue below for variations, explanation and the original practical examples.

Functions	Description
scandir	List of All files and directories present inside a directory
getcwd	Get Current working directory details
chdir	Change the current directry to new directory

opendir():

Open the directory handle, returns False on failure.

readdir():

Read entry from directory handle.

closedir():

Close directory handle

Listing files and directories inside a directory

dirname to gate name of the directoy and path

We can get directy name from the string we provide as input.

$var='https://www.plus2net.com/sql_tutorial/math.php';
echo dirname($var);

Output is here

https://www.plus2net.com/sql_tutorial

is_dir() to check if directory name is true or not

is_dir() function returns True or False to know if file name is directory or not. We will check by if condition.

$var='test_dir';
if(is_dir($var)){
echo "This is a directory : $var ";
}else{
echo "This is NOT a directory : $var ";
}

PHP File handling

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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PHP directory functions

PHP directory handling

dirname to gate name of the directoy and path

is_dir() to check if directory name is true or not

Subhendu Mohapatra