unlink - PHP: get content from first file in folder and then delete it -

using php, want content first file in folder , when content loaded, delete file. here have:

$a = opendir('./'); while (false !== ($entry = readdir($a))) {     if($entry != '.' && $entry != '..') {         echo $entry = file_get_contents('./'.$entry.'', file_use_include_path);         break; // need first file         }     } 

the code above loads first file in folder , can delete using like

unlink("temp.txt"); 

so there no permission denied errors. need delete file variable name (because every filename different). surprisingly me, unlink("$entry"); or similar not let me delete it, instead showing warning along first few lines of content of file. if echo $entry shows temp.txt correctly. can enlighten me? missing here?

(optional (un)related question: if have numeric files 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt, 10.txt... . there way modify code above in way, not load files 1,10,2,3 ..., instead load 1,2,3,10...?)

update: updated code works (for future reference):

$a = opendir('./'); while (false !== ($entry = readdir($a))) {     if($entry != '.' && $entry != '..') {         echo $b = file_get_contents('./'.$entry.'', file_use_include_path);         break; // need first file         }     }  unlink("./$entry"); 

the first problem you're overwriting $entry file contents, such filename no longer valid when trying delete (explaining error file contents).

secondly, because you're using file_use_include_path don't know file located, , unlink resolves related current working directory, not $a.

use unlink($a.'/'.$entry) , you'll fine.

as unrelated question - use scandir files in folder, apply natsort resulting array sort 'natural sorting algorithm'. keep in mind directory listing lists folders . , .. you'll have detect , skip or remove manually.