Using the Scripting Runtime Engine's FileSystemObject
The FileSystemObject of the Scripting
Runtime Engine (Scrrun.dll) simplifies many common chores and
provides better performance than some of the intrinsic Visual Basic functions.
Using the FileSystemObject you can:
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Copy, create, move and delete files and folders
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Test the existence of files and folders
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Retrieve information such as file or folder name, path, short name, attributes,
parent, size,...
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Extract information about drives and shares attached to the system
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Create, read and write text files and much more.
The sample code demonstrates most of the file operations. Performing
corresponding folder operations is similar. For portability purposes, this
project uses late binding and does not set a reference to the
Microsoft Scripting Runtime Engine (Scrrun.dll). However, by
referencing this dll in the Project | References dialog, you can use the Object
Browser to view all available properties and methods.
Performing file system operations is now as simply as instantiating an object
and setting or examining properties. There are still instances where you may
need to use traditional file processing methods and my File
Operations sample may be of interest. But in many cases the
FileSystemObject will suffice.
Download Source Code
This program uses the FileSystemObject to retrieve
the following information about any drive or share attached to your computer:
Space
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Drive Info
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Identification
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Folder Data
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Total disk size
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Drive Type (fixed, removable...)
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Volume Name
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Root path
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Available disk space
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File system (Fat16, Fat32, NTFS)
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Device or share name
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Number of sub folders
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Free disk space
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Serial Number
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A wealth of folder information is available including:
Name and Path
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Details
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Full path name
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Root folder or not
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Short path name
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Number of sub folders
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Folder name
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Number of files
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Short folder name
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Folder size in bytes
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Last modified date
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Here is some of the file information provided:
Name and Path
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Details
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Full path name
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Date created
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Short path name
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Date modified
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Folder name
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Date accessed
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Short folder name
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Size in bytes
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Parent folder path
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Attributes (R/O, Archive,...)
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File type
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PC's with the Scrrun.dll installed. This file can be obtained by
installing a recent version of Visual Studio, Visual Basic, Windows Scripting
Host, Windows 98 or 2000. It can also be downloaded from Microsoft's site
if you look under Scripting.
Download the source code. Run the sample by pressing F5.
To examine drive information:
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Click the See Drive Info button
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Select a drive letter from the drop down. Drive details are displayed in
the lower frame.
To view folder information:
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Click the See Folder Info button.
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Navigate to the desired folder. Once the folder's path is displayed,
click the Show Details button. Information for the folder is shown in the
Folder Information frame. If the folder contains files, they will be
listed in the File Information listbox.
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Select a file from the File Information listbox to see its attributes.
To Copy, Move or Delete a File:
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Click the File Operations button
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To copy, move or delete a file, enter its path in the Source File field.
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To copy or move a file, enter the destination path in the destination field
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Press the appropriate button.
To Write a Text File and Read Back the results:
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Click the File Operations button
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Enter a file with a .txt extension and its path in the Source File field.
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Click the Write/Read Back File button.
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The file you specified will be created and you can examine it with Notepad.
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