C++Introduction to C++Learn C++

How To Extract the Short Path Name From The File Path

C++ Builder is the easiest and fastest C and C++ IDE for building simple or professional applications on the Windows, MacOS, iOS & Android operating systems. It is also easy for beginners to learn with its wide range of samples, tutorials, help files, and LSP support for code. RAD Studio’s C++ Builder version comes with the award-winning VCL framework for high-performance native Windows apps and the powerful FireMonkey (FMX) framework for cross-platform UIs. There is a free C++ Builder Community Edition for students, beginners, and startups.

C++ Builder has specific Path Manipulation Routines that allows user to edit, extract, get and set drive name, directory name, file name, file extensions, .. etc and these methods are combined in Vcl.FileCtrl, System.IOUtils, System.SysUtils libraries. These path manipulation methods are easy to use and easy to get or set file path strings in that operating system. These can be used with other component properties like FileName property of OpenDialog, SaveDialog components.

Let’s see how we can use ExtractShortPathName Method to extract a Short Path Name from a file path String on Windows.

ExtractShortPathName Method

ExtractShortPathName method (System::SysUtils::ExtractShortPathName) is a Path Manipulation Routine that converts a file name to the short 8.3 form. In other terms this method converts the file name, FileName, to the short 8.3 form. For example;
– It return this “C:\Program Files\MyCompany\MyApp\MyApp.exe”
– to this “C:\Progra~1\MyComp~1\MyApp\MyApp.exe” string.

ExtractShortPathName returns an empty string if the file or directory does not exist and ExtractShortPathName  is only available on Windows. The first parameter, FileName, can be a full path name.

Syntax:

Simple Example:

We can separate drives and folders in a path string with “\\” to define single \ and we can extract short path name from a given file path string as below,

Here file path string “C:\Program Files\MyCompany\MyApp\MyApp.exe”
will be extracted as “C:\Progra~1\MyComp~1\MyApp\MyApp.exe“. If it is doesn’t exist it will return empty string.

This method is very useful when you want to display paths of files in a short view. Here is the simple full C++ Builder VCL Example,

Here ShowMessage() command will extract and display short path from this string as “C:\Progra~1\MyComp~1\MyApp\MyApp.exe”. Note that this path and file should be exist otherwise it returns empty string.

We can easily use this method with the FileName property of OpenDialog, SaveDialog components or with the String / UnicodeString properties of the other components. Here is the C++ Builder VCL Example,

This will show the short path name in 8.3 format. This method can be used if you don’t want to display full long path.

RAD Studio C++ Builder is a great environment for learning to use C++ and is also powerful enough for all your professional and beginner development needs.
You can download and use the latest C++ Builder Community Edition free. You can download and try the C++ Builder trial version 30 days.

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to receive awesome C++ content in your inbox, every day.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.


Reduce development time and get to market faster with RAD Studio, Delphi, or C++Builder.
Design. Code. Compile. Deploy.
Start Free Trial

Free C++Builder Community Edition

About author

Dr. Yilmaz Yoru has 35+ years of coding with more than 30+ programming languages, mostly C++ on Windows, Android, Mac-OS, iOS, Linux, and some other operating systems. He graduated and received his MSc and PhD degrees from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Eskisehir Osmangazi University. He is the founder and CEO of ESENJA LLC Company. His interests are Programming, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Artificial Intelligence, 2D & 3D Designs, and high-end innovations.
Related posts
C++C++11C++14C++17C++20

What Is The Stack (std::stack) In Modern C++?

C++C++11C++14C++17C++20Learn C++

What Is The Queue (std::queue) In Modern C++?

C++C++11C++14C++17Learn C++SyntaxTemplates

What Are The Logical Operation Metafunctions In Modern C++?

C++C++14C++17C++20Learn C++

What Are The Deprecated C++14 Features In C++17?