# PHP scandir() Function

PHP Directory Reference

## Example

List files and directories inside the images directory:

<?php
$dir = "/images/";
// Sort in ascending order - this is default
$a = scandir($dir);
// Sort in descending order
$b = scandir($dir,1);
print_r($a);
print_r($b);
?>

Result:

Array
(
[0] => .
[1] => ..
[2] => cat.gif
[3] => dog.gif
[4] => horse.gif
[5] => myimages
)
Array
(
[0] => myimages
[1] => horse.gif
[2] => dog.gif
[3] => cat.gif
[4] => ..
[5] => .
)

## Definition and Usage

The scandir() function returns an array of files and directories of the specified directory.

## Syntax

scandir(directory,sorting_order,context);

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
directory | Required. Specifies the directory to be scanned
sorting_order | Optional. Specifies the sorting order. Default sort order is alphabetical in ascending order (0). Set to SCANDIR_SORT_DESCENDING or 1 to sort in alphabetical descending order, or SCANDIR_SORT_NONE to return the result unsorted
context | Optional. Specifies the context of the directory handle. Context is a set of options that can modify the behavior of a stream

## Technical Details

Return Value: | Returns an array of files and directories on success. FALSE on failure. Throws an error of level E_WARNING if directory is not a directory
PHP Version: | 5.0+
PHP Changelog: | PHP 5.4: The sorting_order constants were added

PHP Directory Reference

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