This post is to demonstrate a basic process of scanning directories recursively for files with a specified extension (ie *.txt or *.jpg).
The Directory class in the System.IO namespace is used to accomplish most of the task. The Directory class contains many useful methods. The two methods used are GetDirectories and GetFiles.
GetDirectories – retrieves the names of subdirectories in the specified directory.
GetFiles – retrieves the names of the files in a specified directories.
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C# PROGRAM
using System;
using System.IO;
namespace DirTest
{
class RecursiveSearch
{
static void Main()
{
//-- Request top-level directory path
Console.WriteLine("Enter the top-level directory path to search in");
string dir2search = Console.ReadLine();
//-- Request the file extension
Console.WriteLine("Enter the file extension to search for");
string ext = "*." + Console.ReadLine();
Console.WriteLine("");
Console.WriteLine("<<-- Recursive File Listing for {0} in {1} -->>",ext.ToUpper(), dir2search.ToUpper());
//-- Call method to recursivly search the directory
DirSearch(dir2search, ext);
}
static void DirSearch(string dir2Search1, string ext1)
{
//-- If the directory input does not exist, an exception is thrown
try
{
//-- Cycle through directories
foreach (string d in Directory.GetDirectories(dir2Search1))
{
//-- Cycle through files in directory
foreach (string f in Directory.GetFiles(d, ext1))
{
Console.WriteLine(f);
}
//-- Search next directory
DirSearch(d, ext1);
}
}
catch (System.Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
}
}
}
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RESULTS
Invalid path entered
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There are several possible uses for a recursive file search. One that pops into my head would be to search a hard drive for illegal file types or limit the amount of a file type (such as audio or video files).
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