Byte String to Byte Array. Complications!! See Description

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Scenario is i need to load byte stings from the file and convert them into byte array and process it. Problem is when i convert the byte string into bytes the values Byte array holds already converted into decimal, which I don't want

C#

string HexMessage = "00790b1a"

Equivalent in Bytes

C#

byte[] HexBytes = { 0x00, 0x79, 0x0b, 0x1a }

OR when i convert it using the specified funtion

C#

byte[] HexBytes = StringToByteArray(HexMessage);

But when u access the elements its converted into decimal and stored in byte arrays like

HexBytes[0] = 0;
HexBytes[2] = 121;
HexBytes[3] = 11;
HexBytes[4] = 26;

I need the original bytes to be stored in the array so when i want to convert 2 bytes i could get correct value for shortint.

HexBytes[0] = 0;
HexBytes[2] = 79;
HexBytes[3] = 0b;
HexBytes[4] = 1a;

FUNCTION IM USING IS

C#

public static byte[] StringToByteArray(string hex)
        {
            return Enumerable.Range(0, hex.Length).Where(x => x % 2 == 0).Select(x => Convert.ToByte(hex.Substring(x, 2), 16)).ToArray();
        }

I have been banging my head for 2 days couldnt find the solution to it. Let me know if anyone has already figured this out. Thanks In advance

Posted 19-Jan-16 20:26pm

pakistanmylove

Updated 19-Jan-16 20:47pm

v2

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Comments

Tomas Takac 20-Jan-16 2:38am

Do you realize that 121 dec = 79 hex and 11 dec = B hex? The last one is wrong though, because 26 dec = 1A hex, but I think that's a mistake on your part when transcribing the values.

Tomas Takac 20-Jan-16 2:54am

As far as I can see you don't have a problem. The values are parsed correctly. What you are talking about is the representation of a number. So I guess you are converting it back to a string at some point?

pakistanmylove 20-Jan-16 3:17am

I belive u didnt understand the issue. These HexStrings are stored in the file. I want to load these strings as Byte array without converting each in Decimal, Why, let me explain u. I want to read two bytes at a time to get decimal values. In my case I will get Two decimals combining each byte in pair and converting the value, So if values are

value[0] = 0x00;
value[1] = 0x79;

int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 0);
//Return is 121

value[0] = 0x0B;
value[1] = 0x1A;
int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 2);
//Return is 2842

What happening is I get the bytes already converted in decimal

value[0] = 0;
value[1] = 121;

int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 0);
//Return is 121

value[0] = 11;
value[1] = 26;
int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 2);
//Return is 4390

Which is wrong. I need byte array to hold its hexadecimal value in order to get correct value when converting one or more the one bytes into equivalent value.

Tomas Takac 20-Jan-16 3:46am

Well 0B1A hex = 2842 dec while 1126 hex = 4390 dec. So your last example is wrong. Somewhere there lays your answer because the StringToByteArray method is working correctly. Funny enough you mentioned the byte order because for me BitConverter works in little-endian while you claim yours uses big-endian. Strange, isn't it?

F. Xaver 20-Jan-16 4:49am

hm maybee check BitConverter.IsLittleEndian, mine is false. and BitConverter.ToInt16(new Byte[] { 0x0, 0x79 }, 0)) returns 30976 for me.

Tomas Takac 20-Jan-16 5:19am

Mine is true and I get 30976 as well. This is correct for little endian. Are you sure your flag is false?

F. Xaver 20-Jan-16 6:04am

Sorry I meant Muhammad Saddam Noor with that ;)

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Jan-16 2:57am

No, you are the one who don't understand what you are doing or what you want.

Programming is not done by banging a head. It is done by understanding. To start with, what is a "byte string"? There is no such thing. :-)

Probably you don't understand that a number cannot be "converted" to decimal or hexadecimal. A number (byte or not, doesn't matter) cannot be decimal or hexadecimal. Your "problem" exists only in your head.

—SA

pakistanmylove 20-Jan-16 3:19am

--SA, I dont need your professionalism so please keep it to yourself..

pakistanmylove 20-Jan-16 3:21am

Speak only if u can resolve this scenario. this is an assignment to test your knowledge. Making fun is easy but finding solution to a real problem is difficult.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Jan-16 11:14am

Rude.
I already "resolved this scenario". However, you are welcome to remain ignorant. "Real problem". "Difficult"...
Probably you forget that every one can read your words.

Not only you are rude, you probably don't understand that you have the same freedom as all other members. I know what to comment and what not.

—SA

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F. Xaver · Answer 1 · 2016-01-19T21:18:00

Solution 1

like Sergey and Tomas mentioned in the Comments there is nothing wrong

dec / hex / bin
121 = 79 = 0111 1001
26 = 1A = 0001 1010

the value in the array is already what you want.
It's only displayed in decimal where you wanted (or better thought it should be) hex

if you wont to display your value as Hex String just use .ToString("X")
but don't use that String for math or other stuff! only for display purposes its only a representation of the Data you already have

Bits of 121(dec) are: 0111 1001
stored as "Hex-String"(79) bits are: 0011 0111 0011 1001
totally different thing!

Posted 19-Jan-16 21:18pm

F. Xaver

Updated 19-Jan-16 21:19pm

v2

Comments

pakistanmylove 20-Jan-16 3:23am

These HexStrings are stored in the file. I want to load these strings as Byte array without converting each in Decimal, Why, let me explain u. I want to read two bytes at a time to get decimal values. In my case I will get Two decimals combining each byte in pair and converting the value, So if values are

value[0] = 0x00;
value[1] = 0x79;

int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 0);
//Return is 121

value[0] = 0x0B;
value[1] = 0x1A;
int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 2);
//Return is 2842

What happening is I get the bytes already converted in decimal

value[0] = 0;
value[1] = 121;

int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 0);
//Return is 121

value[0] = 11;
value[1] = 26;
int return = BitConverter.ToInt16(value, 2);
//Return is 4390

Which is wrong. I need byte array to hold its hexadecimal value in order to get correct value when converting one or more the one bytes into equivalent value.

F. Xaver 20-Jan-16 4:59am

at first.. you change your array at index 0 and 1 .. and then tell BitConverter to start in the array at index 2. but again.. there is no decimal or hexadecimal value. The program saves all values in binary. its just displayed for you as decimal as this is the system we all tend to use. There is simply no Type witch displays its Data as HEX.. for that.. System.Byte.MaxValue returns 255 and not FF as its the same, just different representations as its still saved as 1111 1111 for the computer.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Jan-16 11:32am

My 5, but, as you can probably see, so far it all looks hopeless.
Would you also look at the new inquirer's comments to the question itself...
(Sigh...)
—SA

F. Xaver 20-Jan-16 18:04pm

yup, I saw..
Thank you

CPallini 20-Jan-16 11:39am

5.

F. Xaver 20-Jan-16 18:04pm

Thank you

CPallini · Answer 2 · 2016-01-19T21:28:00

Solution 2

Decimal and hexadecimal are two different representations of a number.

C#

HexBytes[3] = 11; //(1) this is fine

HexBytes[3] = b; //(2) such a statement is not valid

HexBytes[3] = 0xb; //(3) this is fine and completely equivalent to (1)

Please note that (1) and (3) are translated to exactly the same statement by the compiler.

Posted 19-Jan-16 21:28pm

CPallini

Comments

pakistanmylove 20-Jan-16 3:33am

That is Correct

byte[] HexBytes = { 0x00, 0x79, 0x0b, 0x1a };

But when u check its element they are already converted in decimal.

Tomas Takac 20-Jan-16 4:27am

No, they are just displayed to you in decimal. That's a big difference.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Jan-16 11:31am

My 5, but, as you can probably see, so far it all looks hopeless.
Would you also look at the new inquirer's comments to the question itself...
(Sigh...)
—SA

CPallini 20-Jan-16 11:39am

Yes, I see.
Thank you.