Name

Dir Function

Class

Microsoft.VisualBasic.FileSystem

Syntax

Dir[(pathname[, attributes])]
pathname

Use: Optional

Data Type: String

A string expression that defines a path, which may contain a drive name, a folder name, and a filename

attributes

Use: Optional

Data Type: Numeric or Constant of the FileAttribute enumeration

A FileAttribute enumeration constant or numeric expression specifying the file attributes to be matched

Return Value

String

Description

Returns the name of a single file or folder matching the pattern and attribute passed to the function

Rules at a Glance

  • A zero-length string (“”) is returned if a matching file is not found.

  • Possible values for attributes are:

FileAttribute enumeration

Value

Description

Normal

0

Normal (not hidden and not a system file)

ReadOnly

1

Read-only file

Hidden

2

Hidden

System

4

System file

Volume

8

Volume label; if specified, all other attributes are ignored

Directory

16

Directory or folder

Archive

32

Archive

Alias

64

Alias or link

  • The attributes constants can be Ored together to create combinations of attributes to match; e.g., FileAttribute.Hidden Or FileAttribute.Directory will match hidden directories.

  • If attributes is not specified, files matching pathname are returned regardless of attributes.

  • You can use the wildcard characters * and ? within pathname to return multiple files.

  • Although pathname is optional, the first call you make to Dir must include it. pathname must also be specified if you ...

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