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List Directory

Zero-dependency Python snippets for listing directory contents using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

List files in directory

directory list file os

List all files and directories in current directory

import os

files = os.listdir(".")
print(files)

Notes

  • Returns list of filenames
  • Includes both files and directories
  • Uses current directory ('.') by default

List files in specific directory

directory list file path os

List all files and directories in specific directory

import os

files = os.listdir("/path/to/directory")
for file in files:
    print(file)

Notes

  • Specify full path to directory
  • Raises OSError if directory doesn't exist
  • Returns relative filenames only

Complex

List files with details

directory list details file-types size os

List directory contents with file types and sizes

import os


def list_directory_detailed(directory="."):
    """List directory contents with file details."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return

    for item in os.listdir(directory):
        item_path = os.path.join(directory, item)
        if os.path.isfile(item_path):
            size = os.path.getsize(item_path)
            print(f"📄 {item} ({size} bytes)")
        elif os.path.isdir(item_path):
            print(f"📁 {item}/")
        else:
            print(f"🔗 {item}")


list_directory_detailed()

Notes

  • Distinguishes between files and directories
  • Shows file sizes for regular files
  • Uses emojis for visual clarity
  • Handles non-existent directories

List files with filtering

directory list filter pattern glob os

List files matching specific patterns (extensions, names)

import os
import glob


def list_files_filtered(directory=".", pattern="*"):
    """List files matching specific pattern."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return []

    # Use glob for pattern matching
    pattern_path = os.path.join(directory, pattern)
    matching_files = glob.glob(pattern_path)

    # Filter out directories, keep only files
    files_only = [f for f in matching_files if os.path.isfile(f)]

    return files_only


# List only .txt files
txt_files = list_files_filtered(".", "*.txt")
print("Text files:", txt_files)

# List only .py files
py_files = list_files_filtered(".", "*.py")
print("Python files:", py_files)

Notes

  • Uses glob patterns for filtering
  • Supports wildcards and extensions
  • Returns only regular files
  • Useful for specific file types

🔗 Cross-References

🏷️ Tags

file, directory, list, os, io

📝 Notes

  • Use os.listdir() to list files and directories
  • Returns names in the given directory
  • Useful for file management and automation