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Forum Discussion
How to filter a folder by File Format using SwiftyDropbox?
Hi :)
I’m working on an app that deals with text files and I want to present a list of files in a folder, but only files with a specific format. For example, only .txt or .md files.
Is it possible? If it is, How can I do that?
Thanks :)
- Greg-DB
Dropbox Staff
The API itself doesn't offer filtering like that, so you'll have to use listFolder and do the filtering client-side, based on the extension in the metadata.
Hi Gregory,
I’m currently using this to view all the files in the folder:
client.files.listFolder(path: "\(folderPath)").response { response, error in
print("*** List folder ***")
if let result = response {
print("Folder contents:")
for entry in result.entries {
print(entry.name)
self.files.append(entry)
}
(self.view as! UITableView).reloadData()
print("Data Reloaded")
} else {
print(error!)
}
}
If I understood you correctly, I should use this:
client.files.listFolder(path: "\(folderPath)").response { response, error in
print("*** List folder ***")
if let result = response {
print("Folder contents:")
for entry in result.entries {
print(entry.name)
if entry.name.rangeOfString(“.txt") != nil {
self.files.append(entry)
}
}
(self.view as! UITableView).reloadData()
print("Data Reloaded")
} else {
print(error!)
}
}
Is this what you meant?
Thanks for the quick reply :)
- Greg-DB
Yes, that's the basic idea.
Note that you probably want a more strict version of that though, since your code would match ".txt" anywhere in the name, e.g., I think your code would have a false positive on something like "my.txts.html".
Also, make sure to differentiate between files/folders/deleted entries.
Hi Gregory,
This is what I ended up using:
for entry in result.entries {
client.files.getMetadata(path: entry.pathLower).response { response, error in
if let metadata = response {
if let file = metadata as? Files.FileMetadata {
print("This is a file with path: \(file.pathLower)")
if file.name.hasSuffix(".txt") || file.name.hasSuffix(".md") || file.name.hasSuffix(".html") {
self.files.append(entry)
print("File \(file.name) Added to the Array")
} else {
print("Unsupported File Format")
}
} else if let folder = metadata as? Files.FolderMetadata {
print("This is a folder with path: \(folder.pathLower)")
self.files.append(entry)
}
} else {
print(error!)
}
}
}
I got a new question, but I’ll create a new post for it.
Thanks for the help! :)
Hi Shahaf,
even though it's not connected to your main question, why won't you try Swift pattern matching for path extension check, e.g.
let ext = (file.name as NSString).pathExtension;
switch (ext) {
case "txt", "md", "html":
self.files.append(entry)
default:
continue;
}
instead of having to check a suffix for each of your extensions?
Regards, Nik
Hi Nik,
That’s a nice idea :)
I’ll give it a try.
Thanks :)
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