file exists by file name pattern

Question

I am using:

File.Exists(filepath)

What I would like to do is swop this out for a pattern, because the first part of the filename changes.

For example: the file could be

01_peach.xml
02_peach.xml
03_peach.xml

How can I check if the file exists based on some kind of search pattern?

score 128 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 17 '12 at 17:04

128

You can do a directory list with a pattern to check for files

string[] files = System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(path, "*_peach.xml", System.IO.SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly);
if (files.Length > 0)
{
    //file exist
}

edited Dec 17 '12 at 17:04

VisualMelon

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answered Jul 29 '09 at 10:29

monkey_p

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Claudio Redi · Answer 2 · 2015-06-10T20:43:06.063

76

If you're using .net framework 4 or above you could use Directory.EnumerateFiles

bool exist = Directory.EnumerateFiles(path, "*_peach.xml").Any();

This could be more efficient than using Directory.GetFiles since you avoid iterating trough the entire file list.

edited Jun 10 '15 at 20:43

answered Aug 11 '14 at 14:26

Claudio Redi

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Your version of code make same thing, but hidden. No way to get all files matching pattern just from nothing. – Kostadin Feb 17 '17 at 08:22
4

@Kostadin: missed to answer this before... he doesn't want to get all files matching a pattern, he wants to know if there is ANY – Claudio Redi Sep 22 '17 at 02:19
If you are stuck in 3.5 you can use bool exist = Directory.GetFiles(path, "*_peach.xml").Any(); – Joe Johnston May 21 '20 at 17:35

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:31

6

Get a list of all matching files using System.IO.DirectoryInfo.GetFiles()

Also see SO Questions:

Is there a wildcard expansion option for .net apps?

How do I check if a filename matches a wildcard pattern

and many others...

edited May 23 '17 at 10:31

Community

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answered Jul 29 '09 at 10:29

Mitch Wheat

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file exists by file name pattern

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