? PHP glob() Function

? Quick Overview

The glob() function in PHP is used to search for files matching a specific pattern. It provides an easy way to locate files or directories using wildcard-based patterns similar to shell commands.

? Key Concepts

• Pattern-based file searching
• Wildcard support (*, ?)
• Returns array of matches or false
• Optional flags for advanced control

? Syntax & Theory

Function Signature:

// glob function syntax
glob(string $pattern, int $flags = 0): array|false

• $pattern defines what files to search for.
• $flags control how matching works.

? Code Example

Finding all .txt files in a directory:

// Search and display all .txt files
<?php
$directory = "./";
$files = glob($directory . "*.txt");

if ($files) {
echo "Found the following .txt files:<br>";
foreach ($files as $file) {
echo $file . "<br>";
}
} else {
echo "No .txt files found.";
}
?>

? Live Output / Explanation

? Interactive Concept

Think of glob() as a smart filter that scans a folder and picks only files that match your rule, like selecting all images or scripts automatically.

? Use Cases

• Loading multiple configuration files
• Batch processing files
• Finding specific file types
• Directory scanning utilities