What is a directory file

NET Framework and. NET Core versions older than 2. You can query for invalid characters by using the GetInvalidPathChars method. The following example demonstrates how to use the GetFiles method to return file names from a user-specified location. The example is configured to catch all errors common to this method.

The EnumerateFiles and GetFiles methods differ as follows: When you use EnumerateFiles , you can start enumerating the collection of names before the whole collection is returned; when you use GetFiles , you must wait for the whole array of names to be returned before you can access the array. Therefore, when you are working with many files and directories, EnumerateFiles can be more efficient. The path parameter can specify relative or absolute path information. Relative path information is interpreted as relative to the current working directory.

To obtain the current working directory, see GetCurrentDirectory. The order of the returned file names is not guaranteed; use the Sort method if a specific sort order is required. The search string to match against the names of files in path.

An array of the full names including paths for the files in the specified directory that match the specified search pattern, or an empty array if no files are found. You can query for invalid characters by using GetInvalidPathChars. The returned file names are appended to the supplied path parameter and the order of the returned file names is not guaranteed; use the Sort method if a specific sort order is required.

The following wildcard specifiers are permitted in searchPattern. Characters other than the wildcard are literal characters.

When you use the question mark wildcard character, this method returns only files that match the specified file extension. This generalization allows the user to create their own subdirectories and to organize their files accordingly. A tree structure is the most common directory structure. The tree has a root directory, and every file in the system has a unique path. Advantages: Very general, since full pathname can be given.

Very scalable, the probability of name collision is less. Searching becomes very easy, we can use both absolute paths as well as relative. Skip to content. Change Language. Related Articles. CPU Scheduling. Process Synchronization. Memory Management. Disk Management. Disk Scheduling. Operating System Quizes. Table of Contents. For example, a directory contained inside another directory is called a subdirectory.

The terms parent and child are often used to refer to directories and subdirectories, respectively. The top-most directory in a file system is known as the root directory. Think of a directory as a filing cabinet that contains folders.

Within these folders are files. File systems use directories to organize files within a storage device such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive.

System files may be located in one directory, while user files may be stored in another. By storing specific types of files in a folder, information can be easily accessed. Programs can be stored in a directory as well. When a program is installed, its files are stored in a directory that contains subdirectories with many files related to the program.

Because of the directory, files are less likely to get overwritten, modified, or deleted by other programs. To access a file within a directory, the names of all directories above it may need to be specified. To do this, a path will need to be specified. A path specifies a unique location by following the directory tree hierarchy expressed in a string of characters in which path components represent each directory. The delimiting character is most commonly a slash or a colon.

With DOS and Windows the root directory is a backslash. Webopedia is an online information technology and computer science resource for IT professionals, students, and educators.