---
name: "libssh2_sftp_readdir_ex"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libssh2"
version: "1.11.1-7"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/libssh2_sftp_readdir_ex"
---

# libssh2\_sftp\_readdir\_ex(3)

read directory data from an SFTP handle

## NAME

libssh2\_sftp\_readdir\_ex - read directory data from an SFTP handle

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <libssh2.h>
#include <libssh2_sftp.h>
int
libssh2_sftp_readdir_ex(LIBSSH2_SFTP_HANDLE *handle,
                        char *buffer, size_t buffer_maxlen,
                        char *longentry, size_t longentry_maxlen,
                        LIBSSH2_SFTP_ATTRIBUTES *attrs);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Reads a block of data from a LIBSSH2\_SFTP\_HANDLE and returns file entry information for the next entry, if any.

*handle* - is the SFTP File Handle as returned by **[libssh2\_sftp\_open\_ex(3)](/libssh2_sftp_open_ex/3.md)**

*buffer* - is a pointer to a pre-allocated buffer of at least *buffer\_maxlen* bytes to read data into.

*buffer\_maxlen* - is the length of buffer in bytes. If the length of the filename is longer than the space provided by buffer\_maxlen it will be truncated to fit.

*longentry* - is a pointer to a pre-allocated buffer of at least *longentry\_maxlen* bytes to read data into. The format of the \`longname' field is unspecified by SFTP protocol. It MUST be suitable for use in the output of a directory listing command (in fact, the recommended operation for a directory listing command is to display this data).

*longentry\_maxlen* - is the length of longentry in bytes. If the length of the full directory entry is longer than the space provided by *longentry\_maxlen* it will be truncated to fit.

*attrs* - is a pointer to LIBSSH2\_SFTP\_ATTRIBUTES storage to populate statbuf style data into.

## RETURN VALUE

Number of bytes actually populated into buffer (not counting the terminating zero), or negative on failure. It returns LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_EAGAIN when it would otherwise block. While LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_EAGAIN is a negative number, it is not really a failure per se.

## BUG

Passing in a too small buffer for 'buffer' or 'longentry' when receiving data only results in libssh2 1.2.7 or earlier to not copy the entire data amount, and it is not possible for the application to tell when it happens!

## ERRORS

*LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_ALLOC* - An internal memory allocation call failed.

*LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_SOCKET\_SEND* - Unable to send data on socket.

*LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_SOCKET\_TIMEOUT* -

*LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_SFTP\_PROTOCOL* - An invalid SFTP protocol response was received on the socket, or an SFTP operation caused an errorcode to be returned by the server.

From 1.2.8, LIBSSH2\_ERROR\_BUFFER\_TOO\_SMALL is returned if any of the given 'buffer' or 'longentry' buffers are too small to fit the requested object name.

## SEE ALSO

**[libssh2\_sftp\_open\_ex(3)](/libssh2_sftp_open_ex/3.md),** **[libssh2\_sftp\_close\_handle(3)](/libssh2_sftp_close_handle/3.md)**