Listing files in a directory using list_files in WordPress

The WordPress list_files function is a part of the WordPress Filesystem API. This function is designed to retrieve a list of all files from a specified directory within the WordPress installation. It is a recursive function, meaning that it will also retrieve files from any subdirectories within the specified directory.

The list_files function can be utilized in several ways. One of its primary uses is to aid in the development and management of WordPress themes and plugins. By retrieving a list of all files in a specific directory, developers can easily identify and access the files they need to modify or update.

Another use of the list_files function is in the implementation of security measures. By regularly retrieving and reviewing a list of all files in certain directories, it is possible to identify any unexpected or potentially malicious files that have been added to the WordPress installation.

Moreover, the list_files function can be used for maintenance and troubleshooting. If a WordPress site is experiencing issues, developers can use this function to quickly retrieve a list of all files in the affected directories, aiding in the identification and resolution of any problems.

The WordPress list_files function provides a straightforward method for retrieving a comprehensive list of files within a specified directory, making it a valuable function in the WordPress Filesystem API.

Parameters Accepted by the list_files Function

The list_files function in WordPress accepts three parameters, all of which are optional:

  • $folder (string): This parameter is used to specify the full path to the folder. If not provided, its default value is an empty string (”).
  • $levels (int): This parameter defines the levels of folders to follow. If not specified, it defaults to 100, which is the PHP loop limit.
  • $exclusions (string[]): This parameter is an array that holds a list of folders and files to be excluded. If not specified, its default value is an empty array.

If the function is called without any parameters, it will use the default values for all parameters.

Return Value of the list_files Function

The list_files function returns either an array of strings or a boolean value of false. The array of strings represents the files found, if the operation was successful. If the function fails to execute properly, it returns false.

Examples

How to List Files in a Directory with a Specific Depth

This code snippet uses the WordPress list_files function to list files in a directory up to a certain depth. In this case, it will go 2 levels deep. 

$folder = '/path/to/your/folder';
$levels = 2;
$files = list_files($folder, $levels);
if ($files) {
 foreach ($files as $file) {
 echo '<p>' . $file . '</p>';
 }
} else {
 echo '<p>No files found.</p>';
}

How to Exclude Certain Files or Folders When Listing Files

The following code snippet uses the WordPress list_files function to list files in a directory, excluding certain files or folders. 

$folder = '/path/to/your/folder';
$exclusions = array('file_to_exclude.txt', 'folder_to_exclude');
$files = list_files($folder, 100, $exclusions);
if ($files) {
 foreach ($files as $file) {
 echo '<p>' . $file . '</p>';
 }
} else {
 echo '<p>No files found.</p>';
}

Conclusion

The list_files function in WordPress serves as an effective feature for developers to retrieve the list of all files in a specified directory within their WordPress installation. This function can be utilized for a variety of purposes, such as generating a list of theme or plugin files, inspecting the content of a particular directory, or for debugging purposes when trying to locate a specific file within a complex WordPress structure. It’s an efficient way to programmatically access and manage the file system in a WordPress environment.

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in WordPress Functions