PHP glob() Function

Return an array of filenames or directories that matches the specified pattern

Definition and Usage

The glob() function returns an array of filenames or directories matching a specified pattern.

Syntax

glob(pattern, flags)

Parameter Values

Parameter Description
pattern Required. Specifies the pattern to search for
flags Optional. Specifies special settings.

Possible values:

  • GLOB_MARK - Adds a slash to each item returned
  • GLOB_NOSORT - Return files as they appear in the directory (unsorted)
  • GLOB_NOCHECK - Returns the search pattern if no match were found
  • GLOB_NOESCAPE - Backslashes do not quote metacharacters
  • GLOB_BRACE - Expands {a,b,c} to match 'a', 'b', or 'c'
  • GLOB_ONLYDIR - Return only directories which match the pattern
  • GLOB_ERR - (added in PHP 5.1) Stop on errors (errors are ignored by default)

Technical Details

Return Value: An array of files/directories that matches the pattern, FALSE on failure
PHP Version: 4.3+
PHP Changelog: PHP 5.1: GLOB_ERR value added to the flags parameter

More Examples

Example

Return an array of filenames or directories that matches the specified pattern:

<?php
print_r(glob("*.*"));
?>

The output of the code above could be:

Array (
  [0] => contacts.csv
  [1] => default
  [2] => target.txt
  [3] => source.txt
  [4] => tem1.tmp
  [5] => test.htm
  [6] => test.ini
  [7] => test
  [8] => test.txt
  [9] => test2.txt
)

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