PHP dirname( ) Function (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 26 Jun, 2023
The dirname() function in PHP is an inbuilt function which is used to return the directory name of a given path. The dirname() function is used to parent directory’s path i.e levels up from the current directory.
The dirname() function returns the path of a parent directory which includes a dot (‘.’) if the path has no slashes, indicating the current directory.
Syntax:
string dirname ( $path )
Parameters: The dirname() function in PHP accepts only one parameter which is $path. This parameter specifies the path to be checked.
Return Value: It returns the path of the parent directory.
Errors And Exception:
- While specifying a path both slashes, forward slash (/) and backslash (\) are used as directory separator character in a windows environment whereas in other environments, it is just the forward slash (/).
- The dirname() function operates on the input string and therefore it is not aware of the actual filesystem, or path components such as “..”.
Examples:
Input : dirname("user01/geeksforgeeks/gfg.txt") Output : user01/geeksforgeeks
Input : dirname("/geeksforgeeks/gfg.txt"); Output : /geeksforgeeks
Below programs illustrate the dirname() function:
Program 1:
<?php
echo dirname( "user01/geeksforgeeks/gfg.txt" )
?>
Output:
user01/geeksforgeeks
Program 2:
<?php
echo dirname( "/geeksforgeeks/gfg.txt" );
?>
Output:
/geeksforgeeks