FileExists-like function that returns the actual path

[colombeen]

Hi guys

I've been struggling with this for a bit now and I'm wondering if there is an easy way to do something like this : 

#cs
    _FileExists ("path with/without filename with wildcard support", $ReturnPath = True)
    Should return the actual path if the dir or file with wildcards exists as 
    an array (there could be more then one answer) or False in case it doesn't
    $Array[0] should contain the amout of results
#ce

$sFile      =   _FileExists (@ProgramFilesDir & "\Juniper Networks\Network Connect *\*Network*Connect*.exe")
If Not @error Then 
    Run ($sFile[1])
Else
    ; False was returned and @error was set
EndIf

Has anybody ever done anything like this without alot of programming?

My example could be used for like : MS office => @ProgramFilesDir & "\Microsoft Office*\office*\msaccess.exe"
to check how many versions of access are installed (there might be a easier way but i want to check via filepath shizzle)

Hope someone can help

Thx

[water]

Please have a look at functions FileFindFirstFile and FileFindNextFile. They support wildcards.

[colombeen]

Please have a look at functions FileFindFirstFile and FileFindNextFile. They support wildcards.

Hi water, I tried that just now but i keep getting -1 returned while i'm 100% sure the file exists : 

$file = StringLeft (@SystemDir, 2) & "\Program*Files*\Juniper*Networks\Network*Connect\*Network*Connect*.exe"
$test = FileFindFirstFile ($file)
If $test = -1 Then Return "Nothing here"

It's because that keeps failing that i'm looking for other options

Edited November 4, 2015 by colombeen

[water]

Your problem is described in the help file:

"You can use only one wildcard in the filename part or in the extension part i.e. a*.b?."

[colombeen]

Now I tried it like this : 

$file = @ProgramFilesDir & "\Juniper Networks\Network Connect*\dsNetworkConnect.exe"

Same result

Actual file path : C:\Program Files (x86)\Juniper Networks\Network Connect 8.0\dsNetworkConnect.exe

ConsoleWrite ($file) is the exact same without " 8.0" but with *

unless the wildcard may only be used in the filename or ext... then FileFindFirstFile is not the function for me

Edited November 4, 2015 by colombeen

[water]

Which version of Windows do you run? 32 or 64 bit?

[colombeen]

64 bit OS. I double checked everything on filepath... not working

running in 32 bit mode autoit script => @ProgramFilesDir => C:\Program Files (x86)

Edited November 4, 2015 by colombeen

[water]

It seems that "FileFindFirstFile needs a full path and filename (which can include wildcards) to return a search handle for further exploitation" as described here:

[water]

So it seems you need to create a list of directories and then loop through the array to search for the needed file using wildcards.
To retrieve a list of directories using wildcards use something like this:

#include <File.au3>
Global $sfile = @ProgramFilesDir & "\Juniper Networks\"
$aDirs = _FileListToArray($sfile", "Network Connect*", $FLTA_FOLDERS)
_ArrayDisplay($aDirs)

or retrieve directory by directory using

#include <File.au3>
$hFile = FileFindFirstFile(@ProgramFilesDir & "\Juniper Networks\Network Connect*")
$sFile = FileFindNextFile($hFile)
ConsoleWrite($sFile & @CRLF)

But you have to check if the returned result is a directory or a file.

Edited November 5, 2015 by water

[TheDcoder]

I prefer using the built-in UDF _FileListToArray!

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Example()

Func Example()
    ; List all the files and folders in the desktop directory using the default parameters.
    Local $aFileList = _FileListToArray(@DesktopDir, "*")
    If @error = 1 Then
        MsgBox($MB_SYSTEMMODAL, "", "Path was invalid.")
        Exit
    EndIf
    If @error = 4 Then
        MsgBox($MB_SYSTEMMODAL, "", "No file(s) were found.")
        Exit
    EndIf
    ; Display the results returned by _FileListToArray.
    _ArrayDisplay($aFileList, "$aFileList")
EndFunc   ;==>Example

; Copied from help file :P

 

Edited November 5, 2015 by TheDcoder
link

[water]

DC,
I'm not sure _FileListToArray suupports wildcards in the path. Did you test what the OP is looking for?

[Melba23]

colombeen,

I would suggest using _FileListToArrayRec - that way you can get all copies of the file that exist on the specified path without worrying about wildcards in the path itself. Taking your examples in the OP, this should work:

#include <File.au3>
#include <Array.au3>

$aList = _FileListToArrayRec(@ProgramFilesDir & "\Juniper Networks", "*Network*Connect*.exe", $FLTAR_FILES, $FLTAR_RECUR, Default, $FLTAR_FULLPATH)
_ArrayDisplay($aList, "Juniper Networks", Default, 8)

$aList = _FileListToArrayRec(@ProgramFilesDir, "msaccess.exe", $FLTAR_FILES, $FLTAR_RECUR, Default, $FLTAR_FULLPATH)
_ArrayDisplay($aList, "Access", Default, 8)

M23

[ViciousXUSMC]

_FileListToArrayRec() and then loop through the results with StringinStr or RegEx to simulate the Wildcards if you need more control over what to display.

[colombeen]

Ok thx for the info guys. I'll try this out and post my final code when i'm done