How to GetFiles from multiple different paths

Question

Can we get files from different location using some Built-In Function in C# without any loop. Like if I have following paths

C:\Folder1
C:\abc\Folder2
D:\Folder3

I want to get all files from Folder1, Folder2 and Folder3 at same time without using any loop.

There is no API available for that. You need to aggregate files from different folders by either using LINQ, loops or something else. — oleksii, May 26 '14 at 10:09
What are you really trying to accomplish? Even if you got all the files, the odds are you'd need to use a loop to actually use the file paths. — Sayse, May 26 '14 at 10:15
I want to save these file locations in Microsoft SQL database by using BULK INSERT. — Dodhytech, May 28 '14 at 10:01

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered May 26 '14 at 10:04

According to MSDN, you can search for files in a single directory.

For example:

Directory.GetFiles("C:\Folder1")

You just need to adapt, however an extension method is not possible since it's a static class.

More info here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/07wt70x2(v=vs.110).aspx

Basiccly, it means that a loop is required to do search for all the paths. Otherwise, it's not possible.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 26 '14 at 10:13

A loop is required there is no built-in function for that.

You can maintain List<string> for the purpose.

Example:

List<string> lstPaths = new List<string>();
lstPaths.Add(@"C:\Folder1");
lstPaths.Add(@"C:\abc\Folder2");
lstPaths.Add(@"D:\Folder3");

foreach(string sPath in lstPaths)
{
    string[] arrFiles = Directory.GetFiles(sPath);

    //you can loop through arrFiles here
}

How to GetFiles from multiple different paths

2 Answers2