Open .txt file in various hard drive names

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

What i'm trying its open text file like this:

Dim FILE_NAME As String = "C:\FileName.txt"

If System.IO.File.Exists(FILE_NAME) = True Then
    Process.Start(FILE_NAME)
Else
    MsgBox("File Does Not Exist")
End If

But the problem is that, when i give my .exe with those files to another user, he might have another name of HardDrive, D: except C: for example.. therefore this:

"C:\FileName.txt"

will not find a file. I dont need openfiledialog. How to solve it? It would the best if i can put .txt file in same folder with .exe and some cmd will know that it should open file only from this folder.. just guessing... thanks in further

What I have tried:

Dim FILE_NAME As String = "C:\FileName.txt"

If System.IO.File.Exists(FILE_NAME) = True Then
    Process.Start(FILE_NAME)
Else
    MsgBox("File Does Not Exist")
End If

Posted 23-Jun-17 22:57pm

JeezyWonder

Updated 24-Jun-17 4:20am

v4

Add a Solution

2 solutions

Solution 1

Use a configuration file: Managing Application Settings (.NET)[^]

Posted 23-Jun-17 23:12pm

OriginalGriff

Comments

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 8:17am

Is it an app.config usage?

OriginalGriff 24-Jun-17 8:21am

Yes - the link does say that.

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 8:36am

too bad that mdsn doesnt provide too much code example with "configuration text files", honestly cant get the point of app.config

OriginalGriff 24-Jun-17 8:44am

That's because the code is trivial:
Dim myString as String = Properties.Settings.Default.MyStringSetting
...
Properties.Settings.Default.MyStringSetting = myNewStringValue
Properties.Settings.Default.Save()

The data is stored in an XML file so it's simple to edit outside the app if you need to.

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 9:40am

Yes, could you be so kind to provide example how to assign 8000 chars(i have them in text file now, so i will just copy) to the app.config string? then get it from it, when i need it in the code, like this? :
Dim myString as String = Properties.Settings.Default.MyStringSetting
myString = '8000 chars here
Properties.Settings.Default.MyStringSetting = myNewStringValue
Properties.Settings.Default.Save()
(then it will be saved in xml as i understnad? and how to get chars back from xml and assign to new var?)

OriginalGriff 24-Jun-17 9:52am

myString = '8000 chars here
Properties.Settings.Default.MyStringSetting = myString
Properties.Settings.Default.Save()

OriginalGriff 24-Jun-17 9:53am

But the way I would do it is to store the path to the file in the config file, rather than the file content.

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 9:56am

"ut the way I would do it is to store the path to the file in the config file, rather than the file content." Seems i understand, but can you show a simple example, please

OriginalGriff 24-Jun-17 10:05am

Oh come on!
A path is just a string, you know that. So just replace "myString" with the path to your file...

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 9:55am

Ok, and how to get that 8000 saved chars back for assigning to a new var?

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

RickZeeland · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-24T04:20:00

Solution 2

To get the system drive in C# you can use:

C#

var p = System.IO.Path.GetPathRoot(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System));

In Vb.NET:

VB

Dim p = System.IO.Path.GetPathRoot(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System))

To get the path where the exe is:

VB

Dim strPath As String = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().CodeBase)

Your will have to remove the begin of the string "file:\\" though.

Posted 24-Jun-17 4:20am

RickZeeland

Updated 24-Jun-17 6:40am

v3

Comments

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 10:33am

So "p" will contain a System drive info? how to use it?
Dim FILE_NAME As String = "C:\FileName.txt"

RickZeeland 24-Jun-17 10:39am

It will be a string which contains the drive letter, e.g. "D:".
Just concatenate with your filename, or better: use Path.Combine()

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 10:47am

Dim FILE_NAME As String = p +"\FileName.txt" - Will work?

RickZeeland 24-Jun-17 10:49am

Just try don't be afraid :) might be that you don't have to use the '\' in the filename, so it is better to use Path.Combine() which will add that automatically if needed.

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 11:20am

Thanks very much, one more qeustion, drive problem solved with your provided help, but how to resolve folder path problem? User can exctract my folder with my .exe and .txt files on just "C:\" or On "C:\Detskop" or another C drive folder, thanks a lot

RickZeeland 24-Jun-17 12:32pm

If the .exe and .txt files are in the same location, you don't need a path at all, just use the bare filename !

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 12:49pm

gooood, its want im searching for, much thanks sir

JeezyWonder 24-Jun-17 13:00pm

to be sure it will look like this: Dim FILE_NAME As String = "\FileName.txt" ?

RickZeeland 24-Jun-17 13:15pm

Close, but you don't need the backslash.