How to utilize results of dir command.

Hi, I am trying to use some code in a program of mine, that enables me to search for a file. In my treatment of data, I will always get only one result with the command:

dir * full *.xls (I have added some spaces on the sides of full, in order to keep things looking as they do in my command window.)

This command returns a string to me.

How do I save this string, or in any other way use this handle to open this exact file? I cannot store it to a variable using a command like:

Secretfilename=dir * full *.xls

In all this it is central that I do not know the entire name of the file I need. I only know that using this command will give said file as the only result.

Best regards, Nicki.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

Use the function form of dir().

I am not sure what

* full *.xls

would be intended to mean. Possibly the equivalent would be

Secretfileinfo = dir('* full *.xls');

then possibly

fopen(Secretfileinfo.name, 'r')

It might be more complex if the "* full" is intended to designate a directory.

[Nicki]

The * full * is a part of the filename, that narrows my result down to one, everey time. It is part of a treatment of a larger dataset I've sorted into subfolders beforehand. Your tip was spot on, I just needed a parenthesis, newbie mistakes are also for the semi-experienced I guess.

Thank you, I believe my problem to be solved.

[Image Analyst]

Maybe you'd be interested in the FAQ: http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#How_can_I_process_a_sequence_of_files.3F

Answer 2

[EiGeN]

TargetFolder = d:\Test;

FileList = dir(fullfile(TargetFolder,'*full*.xls'); 
% or make string use sprintf function

N = length(FileList);

for k = 1 : N
filename = fullfile(TargetFolder,FileList(k).name);
num = xlsread(filename)
...
end