How to get the number of files in a folder as a variable?

Question

Using bash, how can one get the number of files in a folder, excluding directories from a shell script without the interpreter complaining?

With the help of a friend

Answer 1

file_num=$(ls -1 --file-type | grep -v '/$' | wc -l)

this is a bit lightweight than a find command, and count all files of the current directory.