Directory

Learn folder operations with Directory.

Folders with Directory

Directory represents a folder. With Directory('data') you create a folder object. createSync(recursive: true) creates the folder and, if needed, its parents.

listSync() lists the files and subfolders in the folder. Each item is a FileSystemEntity; you read its path with .path.

Directory also has existsSync() and deleteSync() methods; it works like File.

Listing folder contents

Directory.listSync() gives the folder's contents as a list. Each item is a FileSystemEntity; its .path property gives the path.

Example: for (var e in d.listSync()) { print(e.path); }. This prints the path of every file and subfolder.

The list order can vary by operating system; do not rely on it. If you only want existence, use existsSync().

Exercise Folder and file

Import the library with import 'dart:io';. In main create Directory('notes') and create it with createSync(recursive: true). Create File('notes/a.txt'), write with writeAsStringSync('hello'), then read with readAsStringSync() and print it with print.

Show example solution

import 'dart:io';

void main() {
  Directory('notes').createSync(recursive: true);
  var f = File('notes/a.txt');
  f.writeAsStringSync('hello');
  print(f.readAsStringSync());
}

Test yourself

The createSync call

var d = Directory('data');
d.____(recursive: true);

Show answer

var d = Directory('data');
d.createSync(recursive: true);

What does Directory.listSync() return?
- A string
- An int
- A list of FileSystemEntity
- A bool
Show answer

A list of FileSystemEntity — listSync() returns a list of FileSystemEntity.
Directory parts

Directory('data')

Folder object
createSync()

Creation
listSync()

Listing
FileSystemEntity

List item

Next lesson: Summary - File I/O

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