Lua

Delete Multiple Remote FTP Files by Wildcard

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ftp2.DeleteMatching method, which deletes files in the current remote directory whose names match a wildcard pattern. The only argument is the pattern. It returns the number deleted, or -1 on failure.

Background: This is a convenience for bulk cleanup — deleting all *.tmp or *.log files in one call rather than listing and looping yourself. It operates only on the current directory and does not recurse. The count return lets you confirm how many were removed, distinct from the -1 failure signal; because deletion is permanent, double-check the pattern before running it.

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Lua

local chilkat = require("chilkat")

-- Demonstrates the Ftp2.DeleteMatching method, which deletes files in the current remote directory
-- whose names match a wildcard pattern.  The only argument is the pattern.  It returns the number
-- deleted, or -1 on failure.

local ftp = chilkat.Ftp2.new()

ftp.hostname = "ftp.example.com"
ftp.username = "myFtpLogin"

-- Normally you would not hard-code the password in source.  You should instead obtain it
-- from an interactive prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
ftp.password = "myPassword"

local success = ftp:connect()
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end

success = ftp:change_remote_dir("public_html")
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end

-- Delete all .tmp files in the current remote directory.
local numDeleted = ftp:delete_matching("*.tmp")
if numDeleted < 0 then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end

print("Deleted " .. numDeleted .. " files.")

success = ftp:disconnect()
if not success then
    print(ftp.last_error_text)
    return
end