Ftp_nlist()

Understanding the PHP Function ftp_nlist()

The ftp_nlist() function is a built-in PHP function that returns an array of filenames in the specified directory on the FTP server. In this article, we'll discuss the function in detail and provide you with a comprehensive guide to using it in your PHP projects.

What is ftp_nlist()?

The ftp_nlist() function is a PHP built-in function that returns an array of filenames in the specified directory on the FTP server. The function takes two parameters:

1. ftp_stream: The connection identifier returned by the ftp_connect() function.
2. directory: The directory path on the FTP server.

The function returns an array of filenames on success. Otherwise, it returns false.

Syntax of ftp_nlist()

The syntax of the ftp_nlist() function is as follows:

array ftp_nlist ( resource $ftp_stream , string $directory )

The ftp_nlist() function takes two required parameters, ftp_stream and directory. The ftp_stream parameter is the connection identifier returned by the ftp_connect() function. The directory parameter is the path to the directory on the FTP server that you want to list.

Usage of ftp_nlist()

To use the ftp_nlist() function, you first need to establish a connection to the FTP server using the ftp_connect() function. Here's an example:

<?php

// Set up an FTP connection
$conn = ftp_connect('ftp.example.com');

// Login with your FTP credentials
ftp_login($conn, 'username', 'password');

// Get an array of filenames in the specified directory
$files = ftp_nlist($conn, '/public_html/');

// Output the array of filenames
print_r($files);

// Close the FTP connection
ftp_close($conn);

In this example, we establish a connection to the FTP server using the ftp_connect() function. Then we log in using our FTP credentials using the ftp_login() function. We get an array of filenames in the specified directory using the ftp_nlist() function and output the array of filenames using the print_r() function. Finally, we close the FTP connection using the ftp_close() function.

Error handling in ftp_nlist()

It's important to handle errors properly when using the ftp_nlist() function. If the function returns false, it means that the listing was unsuccessful. Here's an example of how to handle errors:

<?php

$file_list = ftp_nlist($conn, '/public_html/');

if (!$file_list) {
    echo "Failed to list directory on remote server.\n";
}

ftp_close($conn);

By handling errors appropriately and checking the return value of the function, you can ensure the success of your FTP operations using the ftp_nlist() function.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ftp_nlist() function is a useful tool for listing filenames in a directory on an FTP server. With proper usage and error handling, this function can be a valuable asset in your PHP projects.