java - get file list from glob without specifying base directory -

there previous questions checking if file matches glob pattern (here one). however, list of files match glob pattern without having specify base directory search. need accept both relative , absolute directories (i resolve relative ones specified directory), , needs cross-platform compatible.

given string such "c:/users/foo/", "/user/foo/.txt" or "dir/*.txt", how list of matching paths?

yes, you'll need programmatic way find out if glob pattern absolute. can done follows:

    (string glob : new string[] { "../path/*.txt", "c:/../path/*.txt", "/../path/*.txt" }) {         system.out.println(glob + ": " + (new file(glob).isabsolute() ? "absolute" : "relative"));     } 

on windows output

../path/*.txt: relative c:/../path/*.txt: absolute /../path/*.txt: relative 

on unix last absolute. if know glob pattern relative, prepend special directory it. after you'll have absolute path glob patterns , can use specify search.

edit 1 per comment, can following. can mix , match nio , io. should know java.io.file.isabsolute() checks file path format, not if file exists, determine if it's in absolute or relative form. in platform specific manor.

    string basedir = "c:/basedir/";     (string glob : new string[] { "../path/*.txt", "c:/../path/*.txt", "/../path/*.txt" }) {         file file = new file(glob);         if (!file.isabsolute()) {             file = new file(basedir, glob);         }         system.out.println(file.getpath() + ": " + (file.isabsolute() ? "absolute" : "relative"));     } 

this print

c:\basedir\..\path\*.txt: absolute c:\..\path\*.txt: absolute c:\basedir\..\path\*.txt: absolute 

you still have globbing or use methods described in post mentioned (how find files match wildcard string in java?)