How do I properly split a PATH variable in PHP?

Question

I want to split

$path = getenv('PATH');

into its components. How do I determine the separator char in an os-dependent fashion?

score 21 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:07

21

You can use the PATH_SEPARATOR constant, then the DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR constant to split the path if needed. See Directory Predefined Constants

answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:07

Greg

5

You cannot use `DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR` for that. You must use `PATH_SEPARATOR`. First one is the character that separates folders from each other, path separator separates differents paths i.e. defined in PATH environmental variable. – RaYell Aug 11 '09 at 10:09
@Greg, ? Would you at least clean up the mistake or delete the answer so that others below can get rightful attention? Your answer with 18 upvotes is wrong. – Pacerier Jul 15 '15 at 07:59

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:07

4

Use the PATH_SEPARATOR constant.

answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:07

RaYell

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:08

3

I know this works for the include_path - not sure about getenv('PATH'):

$paths = split(PATH_SEPARATOR, getenv('PATH'));

answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:08

gnarf

include_path is a valid PATH style string for whatever system you are on: the same split techniques that work for one will work for the other. – Matthew Scharley Aug 11 '09 at 10:10
1

Note that this post was written in 2009. `split()` has been deprecated according to the PHP manual. – mauris Dec 17 '12 at 21:48

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:10

0

I seem to remember that Windows will accept both forward- and back-slashes as a file-separator, so you may not have to worry about it.

answered Aug 11 '09 at 10:10

David Thomas

1

I think he means the separator for the Entries in the PATH environment variable (e.g. ":" on *nix), not the separator inside the paths. – c089 Aug 11 '09 at 10:24

4 Answers4