Question

I had to list all files and folders in a directory:

            $images = array();
            $dirs   = array();

            $dir = new DirectoryIterator($upload_dir_real);

             foreach ($dir as $file) {
               if ($file->isDot()) {
                    continue;
                }

                if ($file->isDir()) {
                    // dir
                    $scanned_dirs[] = $file->getPath();
                      continue;
                } else {
                    // file

                    //echo $file->getFilename() . "<br>\n";//DEBUG
                    $realfile =  $file->getFilename() . "<br>\n";
                    $realpath = $file->getPathname();
                    echo realpath($realfile);//DEBUG
                    $file->getFilename();
                    $images[] = realpath( $realpath );
                }

             }

This works fine (no errors) but of course counted only the root, so I tried recursive:

            $images = array();
            $dirs   = array();
$dir = new RecursiveDirectoryIterator($upload_dir_real);

             foreach ($dir as $file) {
               if ($file->isDot()) {
                    continue;
                }

                if ($file->isDir()) {
                    // dir
                    $scanned_dirs[] = $file->getsubPath();
                      continue;
                } else {
                    // file

                    //echo $file->getFilename() . "<br>\n"; //DEBUG
                    $realfile =  $file->getsubFilename() . "<br>\n";
                    $realpath = $file->getsubPathname();
                    echo realpath($realfile);//DEBUG
                    $file->getFilename();
                    $images[] = realpath( $realpath );
                }

             }

Basically, I changed the getPath(); with getsubPath() (and equivalent). The problem is that it give me an error:

Fatal error: Call to undefined method SplFileInfo::isDot() in blah blah path

so I searched a while and found this:

Why does isDot() fail on me? (PHP)

This is basically the same problem, but when I try, I get this error:

Fatal error: Class 'FilesystemIterator' not found in in blah blah path

Questions:

1 – why is the method described in the other accepted answer not working for me?
2 – in that same answer, what is the following code:

new RecursiveIteratorIterator(
  new RecursiveDirectoryIterator(
    $pathToFolder,
    FilesystemIterator::KEY_AS_PATHNAME | FilesystemIterator::CURRENT_AS_SELF));

This actually calls RecursiveIteratorIterator twice? I mean, if it is recursive, it can not be recursive twice 🙂

2b – how come FilesystemIterator is not found, even if the PHP manual states (to my understanding) that it is a part of what the recursive iterator is built upon?

(Those questions are because I want to understand better, not to just copy and paste answers).

3 – is there a better way to list all folders and files cross platform?

Answer 1

• 1 – why is the method described in the other accepted answer not working for me ??`

As far as i can tell . the code works perfectly but your implementation is wrong you are using the following

Code

   $dir = new RecursiveDirectoryIterator($upload_dir_real);

Instead of

    $dir = new RecursiveIteratorIterator(new RecursiveDirectoryIterator($upload_dir_real));

• In that same answer actually calls RecursiveIteratorIterator twice ?? I mean, if it is recursive , it can not be recursive twice … :-))

No it does not its different

RecursiveIteratorIterator != RecursiveDirectoryIterator != FilesystemIterator
            ^                             ^                    

• how come FilesystemIterator is not found , even if the php manual states (to my understanding) that it is a part of what the recursive iterator is built upon??

You already answered that your self in your comment you are using PHP version 5.2.9 which is no longer supported or recommended

• 3 – Is there a better way to list all folder and files cross platform ??

Since that is resolved all you need is FilesystemIterator::SKIP_DOTS you don’t have to call $file->isDot()

Example

$fullPath = __DIR__;
$dirs = $files = array();

$directory = new RecursiveDirectoryIterator($fullPath, FilesystemIterator::SKIP_DOTS);
foreach (new RecursiveIteratorIterator($directory, RecursiveIteratorIterator::SELF_FIRST) as $path ) {
    $path->isDir() ? $dirs[] = $path->__toString() : $files[] = realpath($path->__toString());
}

var_dump($files, $dirs);