PHP: How can I grab a single file from a directory without scanning entire directory?

Question

I have a directory with 1.3 Million files that I need to move into a database. I just need to grab a single filename from the directory WITHOUT scanning the whole directory.

Answer 1

do you want return first directory OR first file? both? use this:

create function "pickfirst" with 2 argument (address and mode dir or file?)

function pickfirst($address,$file) { // $file=false >> pick first dir , $file=true >> pick first file
$h = opendir($address);

     while (false !== ($entry = readdir($h))) {

          if($entry != '.' && $entry != '..' && ( ($file==false && !is_file($address.$entry)) || ($file==true && is_file($address.$entry)) )  )
          { return $entry; break; } 

} // end while
} // end function

if you want pick first directory in your address set $file to false and if you want pick first file in your address set $file to true.

good luck :)