Traverse a path and print directory tree

Q: Traverse a path and print directory tree

This question evaluates proficiency with filesystem I/O, path validation, directory traversal, recursion and error handling in Node.js, plus the ability to produce deterministic directory listings in either an indented tree or structured JSON representation.

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Question

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Problem (Node.js)

You are given an absolute or relative file-system path rootPath.

Write a Node.js function/program that:

Validates that rootPath exists.
Reads the contents under rootPath .
Outputs a directory listing that includes both files and subfolders .

Output format

Choose one of the following and document it clearly in your answer:

A tree format (indented text), e.g.
- root/
  - a.txt
  - sub/
    - b.js
Or a structured JSON representation, e.g. { name, type, children } .

Requirements / edge cases

If rootPath is a file, output just that file.
If rootPath is a directory, include all immediate children (optionally recursively—state which you implement).
Handle common errors (non-existent path, permission denied) gracefully.
If you sort entries, make the sort deterministic and specify it (e.g., folders first, then lexicographic by name).

Traverse a path and print directory tree

Quick Overview

Problem (Node.js)

Output format

Requirements / edge cases

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