Usage

Overview

The iFiles/uigetfiles function is a multiple file selector which is compatible in usage with the Matlab uigetfile function. It's main advantages is that is does not depend on the Java libraries, and always behaves the same with multiple-selection, independently of platforms and Matlab versions.
You may:

• browse the file/directory structure (double click on directories to get into them, select the '..' item to go one level up, or the 'Go up' button
• select a single file by double-clicking it
• enter directly a path specification, optionally with a file name and/or a filter
• perform a few basic file operations (edit or delete files, create directories...)
• select one or multiple files, using the Shift-click and Control-click mouse operations
• dynamically compute selected files size sum

The uigetfiles syntax is strictly compatible with the standart uigetfile (which calls java.awt).

To start the multiple file selector, use

[filenames, pathnames] = uigetfiles;

filterspec = '*.m';
filterspec = [ '*.m','*.mat'];
filterspec = {'*.m','Matlab files';'*.mat','Matlab data'};

filterspec = '/home/farhi/*.m';

Default starting location is the current directory, or the last accessed directory stored in the UIGetFiles Dialog.

Examples
[filename, pathname] = uigetfiles('*.m', 'Pick one or more M-file(s)');

Details
 

	UIGetFiles main interface The uigetfiles main interface looks like a file selector. The upper part shows the current Path, including filters. The directory contents is listed in the large central part (sliders appear when many items are to be listed). The items list may be sorted by Name, Date, Size and Extension, and pre-selected filters are available. The user has access to the following buttons/actions: Path: type a new Path and press enter to update directory listing >: select a previously accessed directory (history) Sort as: select sort type (Name, Date, Size and Extension) Filter: select among available file filters, or the 'All files' filter Go up: go up one directory level Select All: select all items in directory listing Deselect: deselect all items in directory listing Directory listing:  select one or multiple files, using the Shift-click and Control-click mouse operations double click to enter a directory double click to select a single file OK: accept current selection Cancel: abort file selection Options: additional operations Help: show this help Edit files: edit selected files New Dir: create a new directory Delete files: delete selected files (with warning) Show/Hide hidden files Tool Tips (contextual help) are shown when the mouse pointer remains for more than a second over all uicontrols (buttons, menus, lists, ...). Additionally, the Tool Tip for the selected items in the directory listing will compute the total and selected size for files.
Directory short cuts (history) When selecting the '>' button on the right of the Path , a list of the last 10 previously accessed directories is shown. The user may then directly come back to his prefered location at once. New locations are added when closing the Dialog (OK, Cancel).
	Creating a new directory A new directory may be created in the current Path.
Deleting files/empty directories You may delete selected files and empty directories. A warning Dialog is displayed for confirmation.
Keyboard short-cuts The following actions can be triggered when pressing a key: o: OK c: Cancel e: Edit file(s) h: Help	n: New Folder a: Select All d: Deselect all u: Go one level up

Technical notes

This multiple file selector is programmed in pure Matlab 6 language, and is thus fully portable.

function [filename, pathname] = uigetfiles(filterspec, title, x, y)

1. function fig = UIGetFilesBuild(smode)
Builds-up the user interface, including tooltips, callbacks,
or make it visible if it was hidden previously.
Returns the UIGetFiles main window handle.
2. function UD = UIGetFilesMain(object)
Updates and sort the directory contents, tooltips, selections, ...
Returns the UIGetFiles UserData structure

• action = 'string': callback type
• object = handle: handle of the object that generated the callback

• show: just update view without re-scanning directory
• update: update directory contents, with new filters, etc...
• action: use the popupmenu UIGetFiles.Action Value to select an other action ('Options' menu in Dialog)
• new folder: create a new folder
• go up: go up one level
• delete: delete the dialog from memory, instead of hidding it (default)
• select all: select all items
• previous: shows a list of previously accessed directories (short-cuts)
• keypressed: handle a key pressed on the figure area (not over the uicontrol)
• help: display this help
• edit: edit all selected files
• delete files: delete selected files from disk
• handle list: handle mouse clicks on the list, essentially tooltip update and directory double-click to open them.
• ok: ends the Dialog uiwait loop, and returns selected file and directories. Stores current directory in short-cut list.
• cancel: cancel Dialog, Stores current directory in short-cut list.
• toggle hidden files: Do as mentioned
  

License

This piece of software is part of the ILL/Risoe Matlab Library for Fitting (iFit). Refer to the License file from the distribution for usage and distribution terms (GPL).