PHP Extract File Name

Question

I am basically after a method of extracting a file name from a path. The file type may change and the file name may have white space in it. Also the path may be in Unix form or Windows form.

/Users/Bob/Documents/some file.docx

Or

C:\Users\Bob\My Documents\some file.docx

The complete source path is already stored in a variable called $fileSource and I have the file name without the extension in a variable called $fileName. I have tried to use str_replaceto replace the common part of the file source with zero space but the path may change so this is not viable.

I thought if regex could be used to work backward through the string the last (reading from left to right) \ or / but I don't really know much regex yet. I have read about a look-backward feature which should start (?<=string) but I can't get this to work.

Lastly The reason I need the file name with the extension is because I am using PHP to copy it from one location to another and if I don't have the file extension the files turns up without the extension and I have to add it manually.

If what I am asking is not possible I guess I could just use regex to get the file extension and then concatenate that to the $fileName but I am hoping for something more graceful.

Cheers.

What's wrong with the built-in pathinfo() function, it is there for exectly this purpose — Mark Baker
– Mark Baker, Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 8:45
True, $ext = pathinfo($filename, PATHINFO_EXTENSION); would be the slickest IMHO. — Markus Hofmann
– Markus Hofmann, Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 9:01
It's not clear what you want to achieve; does basename($fileSource) work? If not, why not? — Ja͢ck
– Ja͢ck, Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 9:04

h2ooooooo · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-09 09:05:05Z

3

It's incredible simple to use pathinfo:

$fileName = pathinfo($fileSource, PATHINFO_BASENAME);

..or simply basename:

$fileName = basename($fileSource);

Do note: Windows paths will not work correctly on linux servers and linux paths will not work correctly on windows servers (due to DIRECTORY_SEPERATOR being different).

DEMO on a linux server

edited Jul 9, 2013 at 9:05

answered Jul 9, 2013 at 8:48

h2ooooooo

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6 Comments

h2ooooooo Over a year ago

@Jack Correct - added info to the answer.

h2ooooooo Over a year ago

@Jack Except the extension is added. Surely you could do basename($fileSource) . '.' . pathinfo($fileSource, PATHINFO_EXTENSION) but you'd be calling 2 functions instead of 1, and readability wouldn't be any easier (in my opinion), so hence why I used but one call to pathinfo :)

Mark Baker Over a year ago

Though if you're using < 5.2, you really should upgrade.... even if you're using 5.2.x, you really should upgrade

h2ooooooo Over a year ago

^ This. The reason I didn't add it in my answer is that some people simply can't upgrade due to different reasons. Anything from no-access-servers and crappy programmed software could result in you not being able to go past 5.1.

h2ooooooo Over a year ago

@Jack PATHINFO_FILENAME doesn't strip the extension. basename would be "document", extension would be doc and filename would be document.doc. Check the manual. Edit: Oh wow - maybe I should check the manual. Fixing the answer.

|

Amal · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-09 08:49:53Z

1

PHP's pathinfo is specifically for this:

Examples:

$file = pathinfo($yourFile, PATHINFO_FILENAME);

$file_ext = strtolower(pathinfo($yourFile, PATHINFO_EXTENSION)); //gets the file extension

answered Jul 9, 2013 at 8:49

Amal

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Comments

Markus Hofmann · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-09 08:59:15Z

0

Try this (alternative to pathinfo):

<?php
$filePath = '/Users/Bob/Documents/some file.docx'; // using *nix here
$file     = end(explode(DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR, $filePath));

echo $file;

In case you worry about paths without a filename (so a directory path), then use this:

<?php
$filePath = '/Users/Bob/Documents/some file.docx'; // using *nix here
$DS       = DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR; // this way you can handle WinOS and *NIX paths
$file     = end(explode($DS, trim($filePath, $DS));

// Check if the path contains a dot, so it's a file name 
// with extension (e.g. filename.php)
$file     = (strpos($file, '.') !== false) ? $file : false;

echo $file;

edited Jul 9, 2013 at 8:59

answered Jul 9, 2013 at 8:53

Markus Hofmann

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