Difference between revisions of "Documentation/BASIC Guide/Files and Directories (Runtime Library)"
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The following example shows how the <tt>Dir</tt> function can be used to request all files located in one directory. The procedure saves the individual file names in the <tt>AllFiles</tt> variable and then displays this in a message box. | The following example shows how the <tt>Dir</tt> function can be used to request all files located in one directory. The procedure saves the individual file names in the <tt>AllFiles</tt> variable and then displays this in a message box. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Sub ShowFiles | |
− | + | Dim NextFile As String | |
− | + | Dim AllFiles As String | |
− | + | ||
− | + | AllFiles = "" | |
− | + | NextFile = Dir("C:\", 0) | |
− | + | ||
− | + | While NextFile <> "" | |
− | + | AllFiles = AllFiles & Chr(13) & NextFile | |
− | + | NextFile = Dir | |
− | + | Wend | |
− | + | ||
− | + | MsgBox AllFiles | |
+ | End Sub | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The <tt>0</tt> (zero) used as the second parameter in the <tt>Dir</tt> function ensures that <tt>Dir</tt> only returns the names of files and directories are ignored. The following parameters can be specified here: | The <tt>0</tt> (zero) used as the second parameter in the <tt>Dir</tt> function ensures that <tt>Dir</tt> only returns the names of files and directories are ignored. The following parameters can be specified here: | ||
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The following example is virtually the same as the preceding example, but the <tt>Dir</tt> function transfers the value 16 as a parameter, which returns the sub-directories of a folder rather than the file names. | The following example is virtually the same as the preceding example, but the <tt>Dir</tt> function transfers the value 16 as a parameter, which returns the sub-directories of a folder rather than the file names. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Sub ShowDirs | |
− | + | Dim NextDir As String | |
− | + | Dim AllDirs As String | |
− | + | ||
− | + | AllDirs = "" | |
− | + | NextDir = Dir("C:\", 16) | |
− | + | ||
− | + | While NextDir <> "" | |
− | + | AllDirs = AllDirs & Chr(13) & NextDir | |
− | + | NextDir <nowiki>= Dir</nowiki> | |
− | + | Wend | |
− | + | ||
− | + | MsgBox AllDirs | |
+ | End Sub | ||
+ | </source> | ||
{{Documentation/Note|When requested in {{OOo}} Basic, the <tt>Dir</tt> function, using the parameter 16, only returns the sub-directories of a folder. In VBA, the function also returns the names of the standard files so that further checking is needed to retrieve the directories only. When using the <tt>CompatibilityMode ( true )</tt> function, {{OOo}} Basic behaves like VBA and the Dir function, using parameter 16, returns sub-directories and standard files.}} | {{Documentation/Note|When requested in {{OOo}} Basic, the <tt>Dir</tt> function, using the parameter 16, only returns the sub-directories of a folder. In VBA, the function also returns the names of the standard files so that further checking is needed to retrieve the directories only. When using the <tt>CompatibilityMode ( true )</tt> function, {{OOo}} Basic behaves like VBA and the Dir function, using parameter 16, returns sub-directories and standard files.}} | ||
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{{OOo}} Basic provides the <tt>MkDir</tt> function for creating directories. | {{OOo}} Basic provides the <tt>MkDir</tt> function for creating directories. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | MkDir ("C:\SubDir1") | ||
+ | </source> | ||
This function creates directories and sub-directories. All directories needed within a hierarchy are also created, if required. For example, if only the <tt>C:\SubDir1</tt> directory exists, then a call | This function creates directories and sub-directories. All directories needed within a hierarchy are also created, if required. For example, if only the <tt>C:\SubDir1</tt> directory exists, then a call | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | MkDir ("C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3\") | ||
+ | </source> | ||
creates both the <tt>C:\SubDir1\SubDir2</tt> directory and the <tt>C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3</tt> directory. | creates both the <tt>C:\SubDir1\SubDir2</tt> directory and the <tt>C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3</tt> directory. | ||
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The <tt>RmDir</tt> function deletes directories. | The <tt>RmDir</tt> function deletes directories. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | RmDir ("C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3\") | ||
+ | </source> | ||
If the directory contains sub-directories or files, these are '''also deleted.''' You should therefore be careful when using <tt>RmDir</tt>. | If the directory contains sub-directories or files, these are '''also deleted.''' You should therefore be careful when using <tt>RmDir</tt>. | ||
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The following call creates a copy of the <tt>Source</tt> file under the name of <tt>Destination</tt>: | The following call creates a copy of the <tt>Source</tt> file under the name of <tt>Destination</tt>: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | FileCopy(Source, Destination) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
With the help of the following function you can rename the <tt>OldName</tt> file with <tt>NewName</tt>. The <tt>As</tt> keyword syntax, and the fact that a comma is not used, goes back to the roots of the Basic language. | With the help of the following function you can rename the <tt>OldName</tt> file with <tt>NewName</tt>. The <tt>As</tt> keyword syntax, and the fact that a comma is not used, goes back to the roots of the Basic language. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | Name OldName As NewName | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The following call deletes the <tt>Filename</tt> file. If you want to delete directory (including its files) use the <tt>RmDir</tt> function. | The following call deletes the <tt>Filename</tt> file. If you want to delete directory (including its files) use the <tt>RmDir</tt> function. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | Kill(Filename) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The <tt>FileExists</tt> function can be used to check whether a file exists: | The <tt>FileExists</tt> function can be used to check whether a file exists: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | If FileExists(Filename) Then | |
− | + | MsgBox "file exists." | |
+ | End If | ||
+ | </source> | ||
=== Reading and Changing File Properties === | === Reading and Changing File Properties === | ||
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The following call returns some properties about a file. | The following call returns some properties about a file. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Dim Attr As Integer | |
+ | Attr = GetAttr(Filename) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The return value is provided as a bit mask in which the following values are possible: | The return value is provided as a bit mask in which the following values are possible: | ||
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The following example determines the bit mask of the <tt>test.txt</tt> file and checks whether this is read-only whether it is a directory. If neither of these apply, <tt>FileDescription</tt> is assigned the "normal" string. | The following example determines the bit mask of the <tt>test.txt</tt> file and checks whether this is read-only whether it is a directory. If neither of these apply, <tt>FileDescription</tt> is assigned the "normal" string. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Dim FileMask As Integer | |
− | + | Dim FileDescription As String | |
− | + | ||
− | + | FileMask = GetAttr("test.txt") | |
− | + | ||
− | + | If (FileMask AND 1) > 0 Then | |
− | + | FileDescription = FileDescription & " read-only " | |
− | + | End IF | |
− | + | ||
− | + | If (FileMask AND 16) > 0 Then | |
− | + | FileDescription = FileDescription & " directory " | |
− | + | End IF | |
− | + | ||
− | + | If FileDescription = "" Then | |
− | + | FileDescription = " normal " | |
− | + | End IF | |
− | + | ||
+ | MsgBox FileDescription | ||
+ | </source> | ||
{{Documentation/Note|The flags used in VBA for querying the '''concealed''', '''system file,archived''' and '''volume name''' file properties are not supported in {{OOo}} Basic because these are Windows-specific and are not or are only partially available on other operating systems.}} | {{Documentation/Note|The flags used in VBA for querying the '''concealed''', '''system file,archived''' and '''volume name''' file properties are not supported in {{OOo}} Basic because these are Windows-specific and are not or are only partially available on other operating systems.}} | ||
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The <tt>SetAttr</tt> function permits the properties of a file to be changed. The following call can therefore be used to provide a file with read-only status: | The <tt>SetAttr</tt> function permits the properties of a file to be changed. The following call can therefore be used to provide a file with read-only status: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | SetAttr("test.txt", 1) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
An existing read-only status can be deleted with the following call: | An existing read-only status can be deleted with the following call: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | SetAttr("test.txt", 0) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The date and time of the last amendment to a file are provided by the <tt>FileDateTime</tt> function. The date is formatted here in accordance with the country-specific settings used on the system. | The date and time of the last amendment to a file are provided by the <tt>FileDateTime</tt> function. The date is formatted here in accordance with the country-specific settings used on the system. | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | FileDateTime("test.txt") ' Provides date and time of the last file amendment. | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The <tt>FileLen</tt> function determines the length of a file in bytes (as long integer value). | The <tt>FileLen</tt> function determines the length of a file in bytes (as long integer value). | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | FileLen("test.txt") ' Provides the length of the file in bytes | ||
+ | </source> | ||
== Writing and Reading Text Files == | == Writing and Reading Text Files == | ||
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The <tt>FreeFile</tt> function is used to create a free file handle. The handle is used as a parameter for the <tt>Open</tt> instruction, which opens the file. To open a file so that it can be specified as a text file, the <tt>Open</tt> call is: | The <tt>FreeFile</tt> function is used to create a free file handle. The handle is used as a parameter for the <tt>Open</tt> instruction, which opens the file. To open a file so that it can be specified as a text file, the <tt>Open</tt> call is: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | Open Filename For Output As #FileNo | ||
+ | </source> | ||
<tt>Filename</tt> is a string containing the name of the file. <tt>FileNo</tt> is the handle created by the <tt>FreeFile</tt> function. | <tt>Filename</tt> is a string containing the name of the file. <tt>FileNo</tt> is the handle created by the <tt>FreeFile</tt> function. | ||
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Once the file is opened, the <tt>Print</tt> instruction can be described line by line: | Once the file is opened, the <tt>Print</tt> instruction can be described line by line: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | Print #FileNo, "This is a test line." | ||
+ | </source> | ||
<tt>FileNo</tt> also stands for the file handle here. The second parameter specifies the text that is to be saved as a line of the text file. | <tt>FileNo</tt> also stands for the file handle here. The second parameter specifies the text that is to be saved as a line of the text file. | ||
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Once the writing process has been completed, the file must be closed using a <tt>Close</tt> call: | Once the writing process has been completed, the file must be closed using a <tt>Close</tt> call: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | Close #FileNo | ||
+ | </source> | ||
Again here, the file handle should be specified. | Again here, the file handle should be specified. | ||
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The following example shows how a text file is opened, described and closed: | The following example shows how a text file is opened, described and closed: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Dim FileNo As Integer | |
− | + | Dim CurrentLine As String | |
− | + | Dim Filename As String | |
− | + | ||
− | + | Filename = "c:\data.txt" ' Define file name | |
− | + | FileNo = Freefile ' Establish free file handle | |
− | + | ||
− | + | Open Filename For Output As #FileNo ' Open file (writing mode) | |
− | + | Print #FileNo, "This is a line of text" ' Save line | |
− | + | Print #FileNo, "This is another line of text" ' Save line | |
+ | Close #FileNo ' Close file | ||
+ | </source> | ||
=== Reading Text Files === | === Reading Text Files === | ||
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Finally, when calling up a text file, the <tt>eof</tt> instruction is used to check whether the end of the file has been reached: | Finally, when calling up a text file, the <tt>eof</tt> instruction is used to check whether the end of the file has been reached: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
+ | eof(FileNo) | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The following example shows how a text file can be read: | The following example shows how a text file can be read: | ||
− | + | <source lang="oobas"> | |
− | + | Dim FileNo As Integer | |
− | + | Dim CurrentLine As String | |
− | + | Dim File As String | |
− | + | Dim Msg as String | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ' Define filename | |
− | + | Filename = "c:\data.txt" | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ' Establish free file handle | |
− | + | FileNo = Freefile | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ' Open file (reading mode) | |
− | + | Open Filename For Input As FileNo | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ' Check whether file end has been reached | |
− | + | Do While not eof(FileNo) | |
− | + | ' Read line | |
− | + | Line Input #FileNo, CurrentLine | |
− | + | If CurrentLine <>"" then | |
− | + | Msg = Msg & CurrentLine & Chr(13) | |
− | + | end if | |
− | + | Loop | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ' Close file | |
− | + | ||
− | + | Close #FileNo | |
+ | Msgbox Msg | ||
+ | </source> | ||
The individual lines are retrieved in a <tt>Do While</tt> loop, saved in the <tt>Msg</tt> variable, and displayed at the end in a message box. | The individual lines are retrieved in a <tt>Do While</tt> loop, saved in the <tt>Msg</tt> variable, and displayed at the end in a message box. | ||
{{PDL1}} | {{PDL1}} |
Revision as of 13:36, 2 April 2008
- Conversion Functions
- Strings
- Date and Time
- Files and Directories
- Message and Input Boxes
- Other Functions
Working with files is one of the basic tasks of an application. The Apache OpenOffice API provides you with a whole range of objects with which you can create, open and modify Office documents. These are presented in detail in the Introduction to the Apache OpenOffice API. Regardless of this, in some instances you will have to directly access the file system, search through directories or edit text files. The runtime library from Apache OpenOffice Basic provides several fundamental functions for these tasks.
Contents
Administering Files
Searching Through Directories
The Dir function in Apache OpenOffice Basic is responsible for searching through directories for files and sub-directories. When first requested, a string containing the path of the directories to be searched must be assigned to Dir as its first parameter. The second parameter of Dir specifies the file or directory to be searched for. Apache OpenOffice Basic returns the name of the first directory entry found. To retrieve the next entry, the Dir function should be requested without parameters. If the Dir function finds no more entries, it returns an empty string.
The following example shows how the Dir function can be used to request all files located in one directory. The procedure saves the individual file names in the AllFiles variable and then displays this in a message box.
Sub ShowFiles Dim NextFile As String Dim AllFiles As String AllFiles = "" NextFile = Dir("C:\", 0) While NextFile <> "" AllFiles = AllFiles & Chr(13) & NextFile NextFile = Dir Wend MsgBox AllFiles End Sub
The 0 (zero) used as the second parameter in the Dir function ensures that Dir only returns the names of files and directories are ignored. The following parameters can be specified here:
- 0 : returns normal files
- 16 : sub-directories
The following example is virtually the same as the preceding example, but the Dir function transfers the value 16 as a parameter, which returns the sub-directories of a folder rather than the file names.
Sub ShowDirs Dim NextDir As String Dim AllDirs As String AllDirs = "" NextDir = Dir("C:\", 16) While NextDir <> "" AllDirs = AllDirs & Chr(13) & NextDir NextDir <nowiki>= Dir</nowiki> Wend MsgBox AllDirs End Sub
Creating and Deleting Directories
Apache OpenOffice Basic provides the MkDir function for creating directories.
MkDir ("C:\SubDir1")
This function creates directories and sub-directories. All directories needed within a hierarchy are also created, if required. For example, if only the C:\SubDir1 directory exists, then a call
MkDir ("C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3\")
creates both the C:\SubDir1\SubDir2 directory and the C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3 directory.
The RmDir function deletes directories.
RmDir ("C:\SubDir1\SubDir2\SubDir3\")
If the directory contains sub-directories or files, these are also deleted. You should therefore be careful when using RmDir.
Copying, Renaming, Deleting and Checking the Existence of Files
The following call creates a copy of the Source file under the name of Destination:
FileCopy(Source, Destination)
With the help of the following function you can rename the OldName file with NewName. The As keyword syntax, and the fact that a comma is not used, goes back to the roots of the Basic language.
Name OldName As NewName
The following call deletes the Filename file. If you want to delete directory (including its files) use the RmDir function.
Kill(Filename)
The FileExists function can be used to check whether a file exists:
If FileExists(Filename) Then MsgBox "file exists." End If
Reading and Changing File Properties
When working with files, it is sometimes important to be able to establish the file properties, the time the file was last changed and the length of the file.
The following call returns some properties about a file.
Dim Attr As Integer Attr = GetAttr(Filename)
The return value is provided as a bit mask in which the following values are possible:
- 1 : read-only file
- 16 : name of a directory
The following example determines the bit mask of the test.txt file and checks whether this is read-only whether it is a directory. If neither of these apply, FileDescription is assigned the "normal" string.
Dim FileMask As Integer Dim FileDescription As String FileMask = GetAttr("test.txt") If (FileMask AND 1) > 0 Then FileDescription = FileDescription & " read-only " End IF If (FileMask AND 16) > 0 Then FileDescription = FileDescription & " directory " End IF If FileDescription = "" Then FileDescription = " normal " End IF MsgBox FileDescription
The SetAttr function permits the properties of a file to be changed. The following call can therefore be used to provide a file with read-only status:
SetAttr("test.txt", 1)
An existing read-only status can be deleted with the following call:
SetAttr("test.txt", 0)
The date and time of the last amendment to a file are provided by the FileDateTime function. The date is formatted here in accordance with the country-specific settings used on the system.
FileDateTime("test.txt") ' Provides date and time of the last file amendment.
The FileLen function determines the length of a file in bytes (as long integer value).
FileLen("test.txt") ' Provides the length of the file in bytes
Writing and Reading Text Files
Apache OpenOffice Basic provides a whole range of methods for reading and writing files. The following explanations relate to working with text files (not text documents).
Writing Text Files
Before a text file is accessed, it must first be opened. To do this, a free file handle is needed, which clearly identifies the file for subsequent file access.
The FreeFile function is used to create a free file handle. The handle is used as a parameter for the Open instruction, which opens the file. To open a file so that it can be specified as a text file, the Open call is:
Open Filename For Output As #FileNo
Filename is a string containing the name of the file. FileNo is the handle created by the FreeFile function.
Once the file is opened, the Print instruction can be described line by line:
Print #FileNo, "This is a test line."
FileNo also stands for the file handle here. The second parameter specifies the text that is to be saved as a line of the text file.
Once the writing process has been completed, the file must be closed using a Close call:
Close #FileNo
Again here, the file handle should be specified.
The following example shows how a text file is opened, described and closed:
Dim FileNo As Integer Dim CurrentLine As String Dim Filename As String Filename = "c:\data.txt" ' Define file name FileNo = Freefile ' Establish free file handle Open Filename For Output As #FileNo ' Open file (writing mode) Print #FileNo, "This is a line of text" ' Save line Print #FileNo, "This is another line of text" ' Save line Close #FileNo ' Close file
Reading Text Files
Text files are read in the same way that they are written. The Open instruction used to open the file contains the For Input expression in place of the For Output expression and, rather than the Print command for writing data, the Line Input instruction should be used to read the data.
Finally, when calling up a text file, the eof instruction is used to check whether the end of the file has been reached:
eof(FileNo)
The following example shows how a text file can be read:
Dim FileNo As Integer Dim CurrentLine As String Dim File As String Dim Msg as String ' Define filename Filename = "c:\data.txt" ' Establish free file handle FileNo = Freefile ' Open file (reading mode) Open Filename For Input As FileNo ' Check whether file end has been reached Do While not eof(FileNo) ' Read line Line Input #FileNo, CurrentLine If CurrentLine <>"" then Msg = Msg & CurrentLine & Chr(13) end if Loop ' Close file Close #FileNo Msgbox Msg
The individual lines are retrieved in a Do While loop, saved in the Msg variable, and displayed at the end in a message box.
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