How to Append Directories with Subdirectories to a QTree in Python

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What will you learn?

In this tutorial, you will master the art of appending directories along with their subdirectories to a QTree using Python. By the end, you’ll be able to visualize complex directory structures in a tree-like format effortlessly.

Introduction to the Problem and Solution

Dealing with directory structures often calls for a visual representation that simplifies navigation. Here, our goal is to incorporate directories and their nested subdirectories into a QTree widget within PyQt. The process involves iterating through directory paths, creating tree items for each directory, and recursively adding subdirectories as child items.

Code

import os
from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileSystemModel, QTreeView

# Function to add directories with subdirectories to QTree
def addDirectoriesToQTree(qtree_widget, root_path):
    model = qtree_widget.model()
    root_index = model.index(root_path)

    def buildDirectoryTree(parent_item, parent_path):
        for item_name in os.listdir(parent_path):
            item_path = os.path.join(parent_path, item_name)
            item_index = model.index(item_path)
            new_item = model.data(item_index)

            if os.path.isdir(item_path):
                child_item = parent_item.appendRow([new_item])
                buildDirectoryTree(child_item, item_path)

# Usage example
app = QApplication([])
qtree_view = QTreeView()
file_system_model = QFileSystemModel(qtree_view)
file_system_model.setRootPath("/")
qtree_view.setModel(file_system_model)

addDirectoriesToQTree(qtree_view, "/path/to/root/directory")

qtree_view.show()

# Credits: PythonHelpDesk.com

# Copyright PHD

Explanation

  1. Import necessary libraries like os for filesystem operations and classes from PyQt5.QtWidgets.
  2. The addDirectoriesToQTree function appends directories with subdirectories to the QTree widget.
  3. Inside the function:
    • Obtain the model of the qtree widget.
    • Define a recursive function buildDirectoryTree that iterates over all items within a directory.
    • For each item found:
      • If it is a directory (os.path.isdir()), create a child item and call buildDirectoryTree recursively on it.
  4. In our usage example:
    • Create an application instance.
    • Set up a file system model tied to our qtreeview object starting at root path ‘/’.
    • Call our custom function addDirectoriesToQTre. This populates the treeview starting from /path/to/root/directory.
    • Display the qtreeview.
    How does recursion help in adding subdirectories?

    Recursion simplifies traversing through all levels of directories without requiring nested loops.

    Can I customize how each directory looks in the tree?

    Yes! You can style different types of items by subclassing Qt’s delegate classes.

    What happens if there are symbolic links or shortcuts within directories?

    Symbolic links are followed but not automatically resolved unless handled explicitly.

    Is it possible to show additional information about files alongside names?

    Absolutely! Fetch metadata like file sizes or modification dates and display them alongside filenames.

    Will this code work on Windows/Linux/MacOS systems?

    Yes! The code employs standard Python libraries that are platform-independent.

    Conclusion

    Appending directories and their numerous subdirectories into Qt’s QTreeView enhances user experience while navigating intricate folder hierarchies. By effectively combining recursive algorithms and PyQt features, managing extensive data sets becomes more intuitive and visually appealing!

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