Code for finding out the total number of files & folders existing in a folder through VC++

Introduction

This is my first article, actually for the project I am currently doing I have a need to find out the number of files & folders existing in a main folder,the same way the windows exploer gives in the status bar, for which I have browsed net, several sites, but I have't got the details, not even some idea & then I have written the following function to get the required result & I have decided to post it in this site so that if any other guy needs the same. & This idea is given by MR.Sai sir, who is presentely working in Infosys, Banglore,India.

Coming to the code, we have to use API provided WIN32_FIND_DATA, The WIN32_FIND_DATA structure describes a file found by the FindFirstFile, FindFirstFileEx, or FindNextFile function.

The FindFirstFile function gives the first file in the directory by searching a directory for a file whose name matches the specified file name. FindFirstFile examines subdirectory names as well as file names.

& all other functions (FindNextFile, etc.,)works similar

You have to pass the folder for which you want to findout the size, then it returns the count for number of folders & files existing in that folder. here is the the function written in vc++

 
    //the structure I am using to describe a folder
    
    typedef struct _MyFolder {
                          int Folders;
                          int Files;
                             }MyFolder;
    
    //the above structure is returned by the followig function 

    //function "Folder" starts **************      
   
    MyFolder* Folder(CString strFolderPathLocal)
    {
    char strFolderName[_MAX_PATH] = {0};
    strcpy(strFolderName,strFolderPathLocal);
    // I want to use each and every character of the CString  thats why I
    // used the character arry
    char *pdest;  
    int ch = '\\';
    int result,length;
    int Folders =0;
    int Files =0;
    pdest = strchr(strFolderName,ch);
    result = pdest - strFolderName + 1;
    length = strlen(strFolderName);
    BOOL Drive = FALSE; 
    //Manipulate the FolderName for watching all the items in the Folder
    if(strFolderName[strlen(strFolderName)] == '\\')
        strcat(strFolderName,"*.*");
    else if(pdest != NULL && result == 3 && length == 3) 
                   //if any drive is specified as c:\
    {
        strcat(strFolderName,"\*.*");
        Drive = TRUE;
    }
    else
        strcat(strFolderName,"\\*.*");
    
    //defining the folder 
    MyFolder *Folder = new MyFolder;
    Folder->Folders =0;
    Folder->Files =0;
    WIN32_FIND_DATA FindFileData;

    //Attack the Target Folder to get the first file handle.
    //get the first file handle
  
    HANDLE hFile = FindFirstFile(strFolderName,&FindFileData);

    //Now run in a loop of all the files and folders under this folder
    while(hFile)
    {
    //Ignore system directories "." and ".." the good old MS-DOS days

    if((stricmp(FindFileData.cFileName,".")!=0) 
                    && (stricmp (FindFileData.cFileName,"..")!=0)
                    &&(stricmp(FindFileData.cFileName,"") !=0))
    {
        //Check if the current object is a Folder or a File
        if(FindFileData.dwFileAttributes & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY)
        {
            Folder->Folders += 1;
            MyFolder *Folder2 = new MyFolder;
            CString subFolderPath;
            subFolderPath.Empty();
            subFolderPath += strFolderPathLocal;
            subFolderPath += "\\";
            subFolderPath += FindFileData.cFileName;

            //it is a subfolder so again,  recursively call the 
            // subFolder also & add no of files in that subfolder

            Folder2 = Folder(subFolderPath);
            Folder->Folders += Folder2->Folders;
            Folder->Files += Folder2->Files;
            delete Folder2;
        }
        else if
         (!((FindFileData.dwFileAttributes &  FILE_ATTRIBUTE_TEMPORARY) 
          ||(FindFileData.dwFileAttributes & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN)) )
            {
                Folder->Files += 1;
            }
                    
    }
    if(!FindNextFile(hFile,&FindFileData))
    {
        //If nothing is found , make hFile NULL so that
        //we get out of the while loop
        FindClose(hFile);
        hFile = NULL;
    }
 }
    return Folder;
    //The memory allocated for Folder is to be cleared extenally.

}

}

& thats all..

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here

About the Author

kalicharan

Web Developer

India

Member

Presentely I am working in Prodigy Group, INDIA, as a Jr.Software Programmer, & I am aged 23, completed M.Sc.,Computer Science this year, from Osmania University,India.

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how to get file names from folder specified

Anonymous

23:49 10 Apr '05

Hi all, i have the problem in getting file names one by one from folder. I am having alld .dll files in folder and i want it to unregister so i need the file names to be retrieved . Waiting for the reply, reply as soon as possible i need it urgent.. best regards ganesh
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Re-research

DavidCrow

7:04 24 Feb '04

I have a need to find out the number of files & folders existing in a main folder,the same way the windows exploer gives in the status bar, for which I have browsed net, several sites, but I have't got the details, not even some idea & then I have written the following function to get the required result & I have decided to post it in this site so that if any other guy needs the same.

I've no doubt that it took you a bit of time to find a solution to your problem (some things are just like that when you don't know where to even start), but I have to ask, in the nicest way possible, once you found out what it took to accomplish your goal, why did you not go back and do a search again? Searching for FindFirstFile() and WIN32_FIND_DATA would return more Web sites than you can shake a stick at. What you would have hopefully found is that your project, while not necessarily a trivial one, has been thoroughly researched.

"The pointy end goes in the other man." - Antonio Banderas (Zorro, 1998)

File n Folder

Roger63

7:17 24 Dec '03

I liked your idea and have added file size and a few other bells n whistles. Like the other people that have responded, you did make a few mistakes in your logic and use of the language: One thing, the function Folder and the structure pointer have the same name which confused my compile. I made the stuct pointer global to fix that and changed the name of the function. The file size variable I added it not supported my all OS or compilers but __int64 works for me. If you would like, I'll e-mail you the finished project.

Roger L. McElfresh rlmcelfresh@charter.net

free store allocation

Anonymous

22:19 22 Dec '03

There's simply no point in using free store allocation here. There are several calls to new in this code, but no calls to delete. Simply returning the MyFolder struct by value would make it faster, safer and consume less memory at runtime.
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Better user CFileFind class

bhushan_at

17:05 22 Dec '03

No need to take much risk. Here is simple code to count number of folders and files in a directory(folder)

//Define member variables
int m_nFolders, m_nFiles;

void GetFolderInfo(CString strPath) //path should be provided.
{
CFileFind ff;
BOOL bFlag = ff.FindFile(strPath + "\\*.*");
m_nFolders=0;
m_nFiles=0;

while(bFlag)
{
bFlag = ff.FindNextFile();
if(ff.IsDirectory() && !ff.IsDots()) //IsDots determines parent directory.
m_nFolders++; // counts number of folders
else
m_nFiles++; // counts number of files
}
ff.Close();
}

Call the function like this:
GetFolferInfo("C:");
OR
GetFolferInfo("C:\\My Documents");

Thanks and regards
Bhushan

Re: Better user CFileFind class

kalicharan

19:21 22 Dec '03

Thank you very much for your suggestion It is my first article & I am not that much experienced, & it is also a good way to get the result. thank you once again. regards baji.
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Re: Better user CFileFind class

kalicharan

21:16 22 Dec '03

& aso what I felt is, CFileFind is wrapping out FindFirstFile of win32_Find_data & I feel that It will give more coding comfort than performance. baji..
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Re: Better user CFileFind class

bhushan_at

18:19 23 Dec '03

It's okay. I was also building complex logics instead of simple one in the begining stages. Regards Bhushan
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Re: Better user CFileFind class

kiranpk1

0:42 10 Jan '04

Bhushan:

Your code didn't find the files and folders recursively.
What you need is something like this:

void GetFolderInfo(CString strPath,int &m_nFolders, int &m_nFiles)
{
CFileFind ff;
BOOL bFlag = ff.FindFile(strPath + "\\*.*");

while(bFlag)
{
bFlag = ff.FindNextFile();
if(ff.IsDots()) continue;

if(ff.IsDirectory())
{
m_nFolders++; // counts number of folders
CString subFolderPath=ff.GetFilePath();
GetFolderInfo(subFolderPath,m_nFolders,m_nFiles);

}
else
{
m_nFiles++; // counts number of files
}

}
ff.Close();

}

In the main you can call something like:

int nFolders=0;
int nFiles=0;
GetFolderInfo("C:\\My Documents";,nFolders, nFiles);

Regards
Kiran

Re: Better user CFileFind class

writetomepc

20:29 2 Apr '07

thax for the code. but i am not getting the actual file count here. but getting the currect folder count.. can u pls check that code again and resend it? Praveen Chandran
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It's better use CFileFind Class.

jiangyu

15:31 22 Dec '03

In VC++, I think it's better use CFileFind class. It would be more easy and clear.
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Delete this crap

armentage

8:16 19 Dec '03

Go down load the unix DU or FIND commands, and don't waste our time and add clutter to this site with such newbish stuff.
Sign In·View Thread·Permalink	1.00/5 (3 votes)

Re: Delete this crap

Uwe Keim

20:25 22 Dec '03

Your comment is really funny. You proof that you really DO have knowledge of what you are talking about. -- - Free Windows-based CMS: www.zeta-software.de/enu/producer/freeware/download.html - See me: www.magerquark.de - MSN Messenger: uwe_keim@hotmail.com
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Re: Delete this crap

brian scott

6:49 29 Dec '03

er... is the age of politness totally dead? Just because one thinks that a contributor - or, even, a repondent - is a total dickhead, doesn't mean that one has to say so. And surely such an experienced programmer can respond with a little generosity to a newcomer who's made an effort to share. brian
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Re: Delete this crap

ThatsAlok

2:38 6 Dec '04

brian scott wrote:
er... is the age of politness totally dead? Just because one thinks that a contributor - or, even, a repondent - is a total dickhead, doesn't mean that one has to say so. And surely such an experienced programmer can respond with a little generosity to a newcomer who's made an effort to share
500% agreed,Every body have right to contribute and Experience programmer must help the InExperience.

ThatALL the Codeproject about,For helping each Other

-----------------------------
"I Think this Will Help"
-----------------------------
Alok Gupta
visit me at http://www.thisisalok.tk

This code has many problems

smesser

12:48 17 Dec '03

Try putting it in a demo if you need proof. Steve
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Re: This code has many problems

kalicharan

19:17 17 Dec '03

thanks for u r mail, actually, I am using the same function in my code, & I have't got any probhlems there, it is functioning properly..
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Re: This code has many problems

kalicharan

19:26 17 Dec '03

I have forgotten to change the name of threadCreation(--) to Folder(---) just I am calling it recursively. thank u very much.
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Re: This code has many problems

smesser

19:46 17 Dec '03

Could you please double check the function in your code with the one you posted. The noted lines do not compile. Oh, and have you addressed the memory leak? Please update the code corrections.

else if(pdest != NULL && result == 3 && length == 3)
{
   strcat(strFolderName,"\*.*");   // Does not compile
   Drive = TRUE;
}

{
   Folder->Folders += 1;
   MyFolder *Folder2 = new MyFolder;
   CString subFolderPath;
   subFolderPath.Empty();
   subFolderPath += strFolderPathLocal;
   subFolderPath += "\\";
   subFolderPath += FindFileData.cFileName;
   //it is a subfolder so again
   //recursively call the subFolder also & add no of files
   Folder2=ThreadCreation(subFolderPath);//,nthtime++); // Does not compile
   Folder->Folders += Folder2->Folders;
   Folder->Files += Folder2->Files;
}

Thanks,

Steve

Re: This code has many problems

kalicharan

20:15 17 Dec '03

Steve,
it will give a warning for the first one u have shown, that is just because if the input is passed as C:\ instead U can pass C:, if U want to find out the number of folders & files existing in entire C drive Smile | :)

& the second error u have shown, is the exact one I have forgotten to change & I want to call the same function Folder(---) recursively there,
I have updated it just now,
& thanks for u r mail.. Smile | :)

Re: This code has many problems

smesser

21:07 17 Dec '03

Thanks for your response,

strcat(strFolderName,"\*.*");
Folder2 = Folder(subFolderPath);

d:\htpccommon\utilities.cpp(1040) : warning C4129: '*' : unrecognized character escape sequence
d:\htpccommon\utilities.cpp(1075) : error C2064: term does not evaluate to a function

The first does not cause a warning is does not compiled
I had already tried the second change you had suggested in another response it still does not compile.

PS: and what about the memory leak?

Thanks,
Steve

Re: This code has many problems

Dan Lobo

4:56 10 Sep '04

Steve, use two backslashes because this represents the char '\' in C++. so, it will be: strcat(strFolderName, "\\."); One backslash and a special char can represent a special char, like carriage return or line feed ('\n' and '\r'). Cheers, Dan Lobo
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Some comments

Remon

10:30 19 Dec '03

MyFolder* Folder(CString strFolderPathLocal)        // 'const CString&' will improve performance
{                                                   // Or you may use 'CString&' and perform
                                                    // concatenation with this CString on recursive
                                                    // call
    char strFolderName[_MAX_PATH] = {0};            // does not support unicode
    strcpy(strFolderName,strFolderPathLocal);       // buffer overflow not checked
                                                    // Cannot work if path is more than 255 chararcters !!!
    ...
    pdest = strchr(strFolderName,ch);               // if character is not found... pdest is NULL
    ...
    if(strFolderName[strlen(strFolderName)] == '\\')// strFolderName[strlen() - 1]
        strcat(strFolderName,"*.*");                // buffer overflow not checked
    else if(pdest != NULL && result == 3 && length == 3)    // what about Folder( "aa\" ) ?
        strcat(strFolderName,"\*.*");               // should be \\*.*
        Drive = TRUE;                               // what is this used for ?
    else                                            // How about UNC
        ...
    if((stricmp(FindFileData.cFileName,".")!=0)     // why comparing . and .. 'case not sensitive' 
    {
        ...
            MyFolder *Folder2 = new MyFolder;       // should be ... = NULL;
            ...
            Folder2 = Folder(subFolderPath);
            Folder->Folders += Folder2->Folders;
            Folder->Files += Folder2->Files;
                                                    // should delete Folder2
        ...
    if(!FindNextFile(hFile,&FindFileData))          // Not the right way to break the loop
                                                    // How can you close the finder !!!
                                                    // Should use ::FindClose

Something less buggy

Remon

10:36 19 Dec '03

struct _MyFolder 
{
    int     Folders;
    int     Files;
    CString Path;
};
 
#define FolderIsFolder( sFind )         ( sFind.dwFileAttributes & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY ) != 0
#define FolderIsFile( sFind )           ( sFind.dwFileAttributes & (FILE_ATTRIBUTE_TEMPORARY|FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN) ) == 0
#define FolderIsDot( sFind )            ( sFind.cFileName[0] == TEXT('.') && (sFind.cFileName[1] == TEXT('\0') ||\
                                          (sFind.cFileName[1] == TEXT('.') && sFind.cFileName[2] == TEXT('\0'))) ) 
 
void FolderTraverse( struct _MyFolder& Folder )
{
    int             nLength = Folder.Path.GetLength();
 
    if ( Folder.Path[nLength - 1] == TEXT('\\') )
    {
        Folder.Path += TEXT("*.*");
    }
    else
    {
        Folder.Path += TEXT("\\*.*");
        nLength ++;
    }
 
    WIN32_FIND_DATA FindFileData;
    HANDLE          hFile = ::FindFirstFile( Folder.Path, &FindFileData );
 
    if ( hFile )
    {
        do
        {
            if ( FolderIsDot( FindFileData ) )
                continue;
            if ( FolderIsFolder( FindFileData ) )
            {
                Folder.Folders ++;
                Folder.Path += FindFileData.cFileName;
                FolderTraverse( Folder );
                Folder.Path.ReleaseBuffer( nLength );
            }
            else if ( FolderIsFile( FindFileData ) )
            {
                Folder.Files ++;
            }
            
        } while ( ::FindNextFile( hFile, &FindFileData ) );
        ::FindClose( hFile );
    }
}