Question

How would I list the first 5 files or directories in directory sorted alphabetically with PHP?

Answer 1

Using scandir():

array_slice(array_filter(scandir('/path/to/dir/'), 'is_file'), 0, 5);

The array_filter() together with the is_file() function callback makes sure we just process files without having to write a loop, we don’t even have to care about . and .. as they are directories.

---

Or using glob() – it won’t match filenames like .htaccess:

array_slice(glob('/path/to/dir/*.*'), 0, 5);

---

Or using glob() + array_filter() – this one will match filenames like .htaccess:

array_slice(array_filter(glob('/path/to/dir/*'), 'is_file'), 0, 5);