Simplifying a directory string

Question

Take the following directory structure:

• Parent1
  • Child folder
    • Child Folder 1
    • Child Folder 2

The path to Child Folder 2 would be:

Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 2

But, another valid path can also be

Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 1/../Child Folder 2

Is there a way to "Simplify" the path, or convert a path such as:

Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 1/../Child Folder 2

to

Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 2

I was trying to find a way to extract the file name from the handle that opendir($directory) gives you, but I haven't found a way to do this yet. I'm also pretty sure there must be some terminology or better wording than "simplify", but I did not know what to search for. "Simplify path" php didn't help much.

Edit:

I've noticed realpath gives me the complete, full path. It does not give you the relative one, as in Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 2, but C:\Path\To\Server\Directory\Parent\Child Folder\Child Folder 2 That's a bit disappointing, but I can convert it back with some string manipulation.

Answer 1

If the path actually exists, you can use realpath() to resolve relative path portions. It also resolves symbolic links.

Answer 2

Try realpath()

$path = realpath('Parent/Child folder/Child Folder 1/../Child Folder 2');