A function for ls?

["Germano Rizzo" <manomano ciaoweb it>]

Hi!
    is there a library function that gives the contents of a directory?
Something like 'ls'... or a way to do it using other functions? At least,
may you address me to a program that uses such a function, to learn on it? I
browsed the source of ls, but it's... too much! ;)
    precisely, I'd need it for theme support: I've got a directory that
contains the themes, and the program fetches its contents and test if
they're valid themes. This way, one can add a new theme to this directory,
and the program will test for it and use it... the way Sawfish works, all in
all. How can I do??
    Mano :)