traverse directory structure in python recursively without os.walk

Question

I am trying to write a python2 function that will recursively traverse through the whole directory structure of a given directory, and print out the results.

All without using os.walk

This is what I have got so far:

test_path = "/home/user/Developer/test"

def scanning(sPath):
    output = os.path.join(sPath, 'output')
    if os.path.exists(output):
        with open(output) as file1:
            for line in file1:
                if line.startswith('Final value:'):
                    print line
    else:
        for name in os.listdir(sPath):
            path = os.path.join(sPath, name)
            if os.path.isdir(path):
                print "'", name, "'"
                print_directory_contents(path)

scanning(test_path)

This is what I currently get, the script doesn't enter the new folder:

' test2'
'new_folder'

The issue is that it does not go further down than one directory. I would also like to able to indicate visually what is a directory, and what is a file

Unfortunately, os.walk is still the most feasible folder listing mechanism even under python 3. — mootmoot
– mootmoot, Commented Jan 16, 2017 at 13:42
I would much rather use it! However it has been requested that I don't use os.walk :( — jeff_h
– jeff_h, Commented Jan 16, 2017 at 13:49

HENRIQUE FENSTERSEIFER · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-16 13:52:38Z

6

Try this:

import os

test_path = "YOUR_DIRECTORY"

def print_directory_contents(dir_path):
    for child in os.listdir(dir_path):
        path = os.path.join(dir_path, child)
        if os.path.isdir(path):
            print("FOLDER: " + "\t" + path)
            print_directory_contents(path)

        else:
            print("FILE: " + "\t" + path)

print_directory_contents(test_path)

I worked on windows, verify if still working on unix. Adapted from: http://codegists.com/snippet/python/print_directory_contentspy_skobnikoff_python

answered Jan 16, 2017 at 13:52

HENRIQUE FENSTERSEIFER

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1 Comment

jeff_h Over a year ago

I can confirm I using linux :)

Ashraf Fouda · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-23 12:52:09Z

2

Try this out with recursion it is much simple and less code

import os

def getFiles(path="/var/log", files=[]):
    if os.path.isfile(path):
        return files.append(path)
    for item in os.listdir(path):
        item = os.path.join(path, item)
        if os.path.isfile(item):
            files.append(item)
        else:
            files = getFiles(item, files)
    return files  



for f in getFiles("/home/afouda/test", []):
    print(f)

answered Jul 23, 2017 at 12:52

Ashraf Fouda

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Comments

Dan Temkin · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-17 02:14:38Z

1

Try using a recursive function,

def lastline(fil):
    with open(fil) as f:
        for li in f.readlines():
            if li.startswith("Final Value:"):
                print(li)

## If it still doesnt work try putting 'dirs=[]' here
def lookforfiles(basepath):
    contents = os.listdir(basepath)

    dirs = []
    i = 0

    while i <= len(contents):
        i += 1

        for n in contents:
            f = os.path.join(basepath, n)

            if os.path.isfile(f):
                lastline(f)
                print("\n\nfile %s" % n)
            elif os.path.isdir(f):
                print("Adding dir")
                if f in dirs:
                    pass
                else:
                    dirs.append(f)

    else:   
        for x in dirs:
            print("dir %s" % x)
            lookforfiles(x)

sorry if this doesn't fit your example precisely but I had a hard time understanding what you were trying to do.

edited Jan 17, 2017 at 2:14

answered Jan 16, 2017 at 13:32

Dan Temkin

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7 Comments

jeff_h Over a year ago

the f in your lookforfiles function appears as an unresolved reference, am I doing something wrong?

Dan Temkin Over a year ago

I caught that myself. My brain added code that my hands didn't get to. Just edited it lol.

jeff_h Over a year ago

haha No worries, happens to everyone! Although I am getting an error with your code: TypeError: coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found in the lookforfiles function on line: contents = os.listdir(basepath)

Dan Temkin Over a year ago

be sure the directory is correct and give os.listdir a try in your console with any directory. just so you can see the output.

Dan Temkin Over a year ago

Alright this works on my end just beware that when reading files sometimes it wont be able to tell the type and will throw and exception if it cant read the text.

|

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:01:55Z

0

This question is a duplicate of Print out the whole directory tree.

TL;TR: Use os.listdir.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:01

CommunityBot

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answered Jan 16, 2017 at 15:00

rtkaleta

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