Getting all files that contain string in array

Question

I am trying to use PHP to get an array of all of the filenames within a directory that match any strings in an array.

The array of strings to search looks like this:

$users = array('user1', 'user2', 'user3');

What I am hoping to get is a list of files matching any of these strings back in an array like this:

$files = array('user1_resume.pdf', 'user1_statement.pdf', 'user2_resume.pdf');

How should I do this in PHP?

This question is a little short on information. Can you share what you have tried, and what problems you have run into? — Jay Blanchard
– Jay Blanchard, Commented Jul 14, 2015 at 18:46
@Anonymous no I am not. Results like if I did ls user1* user2* user3* — ComputerLocus
– ComputerLocus, Commented Jul 14, 2015 at 18:46

Karl · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-14 19:05:35Z

1

Use the function glob.

$users = array('user1', 'user2', 'user3');
$searchString = implode(',',$users);
$result = glob('*{' . $searchString . '}*',GLOB_BRACE);
print_r($result);

http://php.net/manual/en/function.glob.php

Quote from source above:

GLOB_BRACE - Expands {a,b,c} to match 'a', 'b', or 'c'

[Edit]

If the filename must start with whatever is in your list of users just remove the first asterix in the example above.

edited Jul 14, 2015 at 19:05

answered Jul 14, 2015 at 18:54

Karl

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2 Comments

ComputerLocus Over a year ago

It also needs to be in a specific directory. Would this work fine with this method: glob('html/upload' . '{' . $searchString . '}*',GLOB_BRACE);

Karl Over a year ago

That would work fine with a little bit of change in your code, because you forgot one slash. You can even skip the delimiter you're using for the braces. glob('html/upload/{' . $searchString . '}*',GLOB_BRACE);

volkinc · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-14 19:17:49Z

1

Try this. It's not most efficient solution but it's clear

$users = array('user1', 'user2', 'user3');
$files = array('user1_resume.pdf', 'user1_statement.pdf', 'user2_resume.pdf');


// to read from directory
//$files = scandir($dirName);



$resultFiles = array();
foreach($files as $file){
 foreach($users as $user){
    if(strpos($file,$user) !== null)
        $resultFiles[] = $file;
 }
}

echo "array:" .print_r( array_unique($resultFiles), true);

answered Jul 14, 2015 at 19:17

volkinc

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