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# Count
Count is an action used to count the number of elements in a one-dimensional array (or a data list) and return a numeric value. This action is very useful when you need to check the size of data before processing or set limits for loops.
🎥 Watch the tutorial video: [Here](https://youtu.be/nlEQsaxawt4).
Common practical application cases include:
#### 1. Count the number of lines in a text file
When you need to know how many lines a text file (containing account lists, proxies, articles...) has in total:
* How to do it: Use the action File read all lines to read all lines in the file into a variable list, then use the action Count to count that list. The returned value is the total number of lines in the file.
#### Practical example: Count the number of Facebook links in the file `D:\2.txt`
Suppose you have a file storing a list of Facebook profile links at the path `D:\2.txt` with content consisting of 9 lines as follows:
```
https://www.facebook.com/nguyenvana
https://www.facebook.com/leminhc
...
https://www.facebook.com/demo.account99
```
To count the total number of lines and retrieve each link in this file, the script will be configured in 2 steps:
* Step 1: Use the action File read all lines to read the file `D:\2.txt`. The returned result will be stored in an array (list) named `$content`. At this point, the system automatically understands:
* `$content[0]` = `"https://www.facebook.com/nguyenvana"` (Line 1)
* `$content[1]` = `"https://www.facebook.com/leminhc"` (Line 2)
* ...
* `$content[8]` = `"https://www.facebook.com/demo.account99"` (Line 9)
* Step 2: Use the action Count passing in the array `$content` just read, and name the output variable as `$lineCount`.
After running, the variable `$lineCount` will receive the value of `9`. You can immediately use this `$lineCount` variable as the End parameter for the For loop to automatically open each Facebook profile for interaction.
#### 2. Count the number of files in a folder
When you need to check the number of images, videos, or documents present in a folder on your computer:
* How to do it: Use the action Folder get file list to retrieve a list of all files, then use the action Count to know exactly how many files are in that folder.
#### Practical example: Count the number of real estate images in the folder `D:\bds\cat bi\`
Suppose you have a folder containing images of real estate at the path `D:\bds\cat bi\` consisting of 3 image files named as follows:
* `1.jpg`
* `2.jpg`
* `3.jpg`
To count how many image files are available for automatic posting, the script will be configured in 2 steps:
* Step 1: Use the action Folder get file list pointing to the folder path `D:\bds\cat bi\`. The system will scan the folder and return an array containing the paths of all files, stored in a variable named `$fileList`. At this point, the array data will automatically be assigned as:
* `$fileList[0]` = `"D:\bds\cat bi\1.jpg"`
* `$fileList[1]` = `"D:\bds\cat bi\2.jpg"`
* `$fileList[2]` = `"D:\bds\cat bi\3.jpg"`
* Step 2: Use the action Count passing in the array `$fileList` just obtained, and name the output variable as `$totalFiles`.
After running, the variable `$totalFiles` will receive the value of `3`. You can use this result to run conditional command blocks (for example: If the folder has more than 0 files, then perform the action to upload images to Facebook/Website).
#### 3. Count the number of elements after splitting a string
When you have a long text string containing multiple pieces of information separated by special characters and want to know how many elements will be after splitting:
* How to do it: After using the action Split text to split this string based on the character `|`, you let the action Count process the split list. The returned count variable will then be `6`.
#### Practical example: Count the number of elements of a string after using Split text
Suppose you have a configuration file or a line of data containing account information formatted in a structure separated by the vertical bar `|` as follows:
```
thanhnguyen|Pass1234|2FAXYZ|103.83.77.15:9898
```
To count how many pieces of information this string has for the purpose of checking the validity of the account, the script will be configured in 2 steps:
* Step 1: Use the action Split text to split the above string based on the separator character `|`. The returned result will be stored in an array named `$accountData`. At this point, the system will automatically separate the data into:
* `$accountData[0]` = `"thanhnguyen"` (Account)
* `$accountData[1]` = `"Pass1234"` (Password)
* `$accountData[2]` = `"2FAXYZ"` (2FA code)
* `$accountData[3]` = `"103.83.77.15:9898"` (Proxy)
* Step 2: Use the action Count passing in the array `$accountData` just split, and name the output variable as `$infoCount`.
After running, the variable `$infoCount` will receive the value of `4`. You can use this result in conjunction with the If command block to check (for example: If `$infoCount = 4` meaning the account has sufficient structural information, then proceed to run the login script, otherwise skip to avoid errors).
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