def splitPath( self, path ):
        """
        Splits the path into its components.
        
        :param      path | <str>
        
        :return     [<str>, ..]
        """
        sep = self.model().separator()
        splt = nativestring(path).lstrip(sep).split(sep)
        
        if ( splt and not splt[-1] ):
            self.model().itemByPath(path)
            
        return splt