how to read contents of a folder into an array?

[hogtied]

Hey,

I was wondering if you can read the contents of a specified folder into an array? Can this be done? If so what is the procedure and or variables to achieve this.

Thanks,
Hogtied

[StevenCoutts]

Please define "folder" so I can help:thumbsup:

[mellin]

Like this?

-------------------------------------------------------

my $dir = "/home/hopkins";

opendir (FILEHANDLE, "$dir");
@content = grep(/^.+\.txt$/, readdir(FILEHANDLE));
closedir(FILEHANDLE);
-------------------------------------------------------

The regexp is there, because maybe you want't some control over what files are pushed to the array. Like maybe only .xml or .txt files.

[hogtied]

sweet thanks, I looked everywhere for that info. I won't need the .txt cuz the folder contains all pictures. but it's helpful to know thanks again

[mellin]

Glad to help.

Took me a while to learn Perl, so helping others really feels great.

[MagicBobert]

Another useful command worth looking into would be "readdir"

[hogtied]

yes in fact i came across the readdir() and am using that approach. I do have another question though.

I've seen some examples that show the following for arrarys.

@array = [something]
@array = (something)
$arrary
@_
$_

wondering what is the difference between the first two arrays and the $array is suppose to reteive a part of the @array? But the @_ and $_ i don't understand

You know better yet. I went to a book store to pick out a perl book or CGI Perl book and they had quite a few from 3 different authors. Which is the best one to get considering I'm still a novice in perl but not programming and will probably travel very deep into it. So I really don't want a beginners book.

[StevenCoutts]

Perl Core Language - Little Black Book by Steven Holzner

[mellin]

Originally posted by hogtied
yes in fact i came across the readdir() and am using that approach. I do have another question though.

I've seen some examples that show the following for arrarys.

@array = [something]
@array = (something)
$arrary
@_
$_

wondering what is the difference between the first two arrays and the $array is suppose to reteive a part of the @array? But the @_ and $_ i don't understand


Scalar "$_" is a special variable, a buiilt-in function when working with @arrays or %hashes.

When iterating over @array, that consists of normal text-file like this:

----
whatever here reads
is nothing but loads of bull****
but hey, whatever..
-----

with code like this:

-----
foreach(@thefile) {
print "$_\n";
}
-----

Every row gets printed through variable "$_".

Or maybe you have @array that consists of indexed data like this:

-----
@array = ("5", "10", "15", "20");
-----

Iterating through it like this:

-----
for (@array) {
if ($_ >= 15) {
push @larger_than, $_;
}
}
-----

Would push every index to array "@larger_than", if it's greater or same as 15.

I can't really explain it well, 'cause i suck teaching others but hey, just mess around and read Perl manuals.

If you use Linux just type "man perl", and search "special variables", it's all there.

[hogtied]

Thanks for the reply mellin, the information you provided was helpful..

Thanks,
Hogtied