How Can I Retrieve Multiple File Types Using Directory.GetFiles() or EnumerateFiles()?

Efficiently Retrieving Files of Multiple Types

The Directory.GetFiles() method, while seemingly straightforward, doesn't directly support multiple file type filters. However, several effective strategies exist to overcome this limitation.

For .NET 4.0 and later versions, the EnumerateFiles() method offers a superior solution using LINQ's Where() clause:

<code class="language-csharp">var files = Directory.EnumerateFiles("C:\path", "*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories)
            .Where(s => s.EndsWith(".mp3") || s.EndsWith(".jpg"));</code>

This elegantly filters the enumerated files based on specified extensions.

For older .NET versions, a comparable approach is possible:

<code class="language-csharp">var files = Directory.GetFiles("C:\path", "*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories)
            .Where(s => s.EndsWith(".mp3") || s.EndsWith(".jpg"));</code>

However, it's crucial to remember that GetFiles() returns a complete array in memory. This can lead to performance issues and high memory consumption, especially when dealing with extensive directories. Therefore, using EnumerateFiles() is strongly recommended for optimal efficiency.

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