How do I split a string containing path+filename

[psmail]

I need to separate the filename and path from a string. e.g.

$a = "/root/subroot/subsubroot/filename";

I want to separate filename and the path.
i.e. The output should be
$b = "/root/subroot/subsubroot/"
$c = "filename"

Thanks

Originally posted as a Categorized Question.

[arturo]

For maximum portability, use File::Basename, a standard CPAN module:

use File::Basename;

use strict;

# get full path in $path
my $filename = basename($path);

[grinder]

The complement to basename that arturo forgot to mention is dirname, so your code would look like this:

$a = "/root/subroot/subsubroot/filename";
$b = dirname $a;
$c = basename $a;

That said, do not get into the habit of using variables $a and $b. You are much better off giving them descriptive names, which will help your code self-document itself. A better way of writing your code would be

my $filespec = "/root/subroot/subsubroot/filename";
my $path     = dirname $filespec;
my $filename = basename $filespec;

[tye]

File::Spec. See my review.

[tachyon]

Quick and dirty regex answer (for Unix or DOS):

($b,$c) = $a =~ m|^(.*[/\\])([^/\\]+?)$|;

I agree with grinder that your var names are obfu, which has its place, but usually we choose descriptive names like $p and $f or even $pathname and $filename ;-)

[frank1982]

Re: How do I split a string containing path+filename

Originally posted as a Categorized Answer.