2.2.1.3. Pseudo-Hierarchical Folders and Directories

Although you cannot nest directories in OpenStack Object Storage, you can simulate a hierarchical structure within a single container by adding forward slash characters (/) in the object name. To navigate the pseudo-directory structure, you may use the delimiter query parameter. See the below examples for an illustration.

	Note
	In the example below, the objects reside in a container called `backups`. Within that container, the objects are organized in a pseudo-directory called `photos`. Keep in mind that the container name is not displayed in the example, but that it is a part of the object URLs. For instance, the URL of the picture `me.jpg` is `https://storage.swiftdrive.com/v1/CF_xer7_343/backups/photos/me.jpg`.

Example 2.24. List Pseudo-Hierarchical Folders/Directories Request

To display a list of all the objects in the storage container, use GET without a delimiter or prefix.

GET /v1/AccountString/backups

The system returns status code 200 (OK) and the requested list of the objects.

photos/animals/cats/persian.jpg
photos/animals/cats/siamese.jpg
photos/animals/dogs/corgi.jpg
photos/animals/dogs/poodle.jpg
photos/animals/dogs/terrier.jpg
photos/me.jpg
photos/plants/fern.jpg
photos/plants/rose.jpg

Use the delimiter parameter to limit the displayed results. Any character may be used as a delimiter. However, to use delimiter with pseudo-directories, use the parameter slash (/).

GET /v1/AccountString/backups?delimiter=/

The system returns status code 200 (OK) and the requested matching objects. Because we use the slash, only the pseudo-directory photos/ displays. Keep in mind that the returned values from a slash delimiter query are not real objects. They have a content-type of application/directory and are in a subdir section of json and xml results.

photos/

Use the prefix parameter with the delimiter parameter to view the objects inside a pseudo-directory, including further nested pseudo-directories.

GET /v1/AccountString/backups?prefix=photos/&delimiter=/

The system returns status code 200 (OK) and the objects and pseudo-directories within the top level pseudo-directory.

photos/animals/
photos/me.jpg
photos/plants/

There is no limit to the amount of nested pseudo-directories you can create. In order to navigate through them, use a longer prefix parameter coupled with the delimiter parameter. In the sample output below, there is a pseudo-directory called dogs within the pseudo-directory animals. In order to navigate directly to the files contained within dogs, enter the below command.

GET /v1/AccountString/backups?prefix=photos/animals/dogs/&delimiter=/

The system returns status code 200 (OK) and the objects and pseudo-directories within the nested pseudo-directory.

photos/animals/dogs/corgi.jpg
photos/animals/dogs/poodle.jpg
photos/animals/dogs/terrier.jpg

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