Make Scan Directory Recursive

[RobLoach]

This has been discussed in a few different issues:

• (Suggestions/Ideas) Different suggestions for playlists #3038 Different suggestions for playlists
• [Improvement] Some ideas about the LPL files #2102 Some ideas about LPL files
• (Menu) Alternative Scanning Method #2033 Alternative scanning method

I thought I'd have specific issue, with a distinct goal to make Scan Directory go into sub-folders recursively.

Problem

When you add your collection, you use Scan Directory, and have to select each folder for every system. This takes time, and can be confusing when you see 10 different async actions running at the same time.

Proposed Solution

Make Scan Directory recursively go into child directories. Then to add your whole collection, you just have to select the parent folder, and it'll add all files and child folders' files to your playlists. To accomplish this, when scanning through and it files a folder, it would add the folder to the task queue, similar to just selecting Scan Directory on each child folder from the menu.

[yisraeldov]

This is something I have also wanted, and really seems like a trivial thing to implement ( although I haven't tried it myself ).

[brandleesee]

I am also in favour of recursive searches. It minimises confusion with newcomers and makes the task less tedious to those who have already used RA.

[kivutar]

I'd also like this.

[mikebutash]

I'll vote for this as well, something of a pain adding directories individually.

Either way, it really needs a queuing mechanism for directory scans so they don't all pile one atop the other as you select directories. Doing so on a remote cifs/nfs share just dogs everything down on large directories all at the same time as I found it begins doing.

Getting enough scans going it seems to bug out and stop displaying progress of any of them until some finally complete, a global progress against said queue of items to be scanned would be better here, especially with the recursive that take a while.

[shinra358]

would love this feature.

[RobLoach]

This works! Thanks a lot, @bparker06.... For those following along, this was done at #3412 .

[sergiobenrocha2]

This is a interesting feature, but it should be optional (at least there should be a option to disable it)... I have some beta/hack roms inside each console folder, and I don't like to see them in the playlist. But yeah, it's a interesting feature for newcomers.

[RobLoach]

I have some beta/hack roms inside each console folder, and I don't like to see them in the playlist.

Move them into a different location then? clrmamepro, or similar, would read them as part of the No-Intro DAT.

[sergiobenrocha2]

Yup, that's my problem. I guess I'll get used with this new feature. At least people will complain less.

[RobLoach]

But, it does seem like it could be an option in the settings. Create a new issue in the queue! Add ability to disable recursive scanning (on by default).

[kivutar]

I love recursive scanning :o