C# Create a multi line text file

[AlTech]

Hi all,

 

I'm trying to experiment with a new Checking for update system and to do this I need to be able to create a textfile with some information in it everytime the application loads up.

 

I tried using this -> https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8bh11f1k.aspx

 

This is the actual code.

     string[] lines =
            {
                "Version " + Settings.App.Default.SpecsBossVersionTag,
                "Genuine_AluminiumTech",
                "Official_Release"
            };          

		string path = Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData.ToString() + "\\AluminiumTech\\SpecsBoss.txt";

            if (Directory.Exists(path))
            {
                Directory.Delete(path);

                //Write the version to the text file so that our updater can work properly.
                File.WriteAllLines(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData.ToString() + "\\AluminiumTech\\SpecsBoss.txt", lines);
            }
            else if (!Directory.Exists(path))
            {
                //Write the version to the text file so that our updater can work properly.
                File.WriteAllLines(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData.ToString() + "\\AluminiumTech\\SpecsBoss.txt", lines);
            }

 

I basically want to have a custom folder in the ApplicationData folder for users and ensure that a text file with the info above.

 

This is the error I have been getting.

[bughtoo]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Snip

As it says, the directory you are trying to open is not there. First you have to check if its there and then create it if its not there

[AlTech]

Just now, bughtoo said:

As it says, the directory you are trying to open is not there. First you have to check if its there and then create it if its not there

I tried to do that but it wasn't making the folder in the AppData folder.

[bughtoo]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

I tried to do that but it wasn't making the folder in the AppData folder.

AppData require administrator rights if i am not mistaken, maybe that might your problem. 

EDIT:

NWM THIS IS WRONG  

does this not work? http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16500080/how-to-create-appdata-folder-with-c-sharp

[AlTech]

5 minutes ago, bughtoo said:

AppData require administrator rights if i am not mistaken, maybe that might your problem. 

EDIT:

NWM THIS IS WRONG  

Could you give an example of how I might make folder in the AppData folder?

[Mira Yurizaki]

AppData is user owned. It's how Chrome gets away with installing itself without invoking UAC.

 

I think the problem is you need to actually create the directory before writing files to it.

[bughtoo]

Just now, AluminiumTech said:

Could you give an example of how I might make folder in the AppData folder?

i edited it here again :  http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16500080/how-to-create-appdata-folder-with-c-sharp

[AlTech]

10 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

AppData is user owned. It's how Chrome gets away with installing itself without invoking UAC.

 

I think the problem is you need to actually create the directory before writing files to it.

 

16 minutes ago, bughtoo said:

AppData require administrator rights if i am not mistaken, maybe that might your problem. 

EDIT:

NWM THIS IS WRONG  

does this not work? http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16500080/how-to-create-appdata-folder-with-c-sharp

Thanks guys.

 

This code ended up working:

 

      // The folder for the roaming current user 
            string folder = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData);

            // Combine the base folder with your specific folder....
            string specificFolder = Path.Combine(folder, "AluminiumTech");

            string moreSpecficFolder = Path.Combine(specificFolder, "Specs Boss");

            string path = moreSpecficFolder + "\\SpecsBoss_Version.txt";

            if (Directory.Exists(path))
            {
                Directory.Delete(path);

                Directory.CreateDirectory(moreSpecficFolder);

                //Write the version to the text file so that our updater can work properly.
                File.WriteAllLines(path, lines);
            }
            else if (!Directory.Exists(path))
            {
                Directory.CreateDirectory(moreSpecficFolder);

                //Write the version to the text file so that our updater can work properly.
                File.WriteAllLines(path, lines);
            }

 

[bughtoo]

1 minute ago, AluminiumTech said:

snip

 

Seems ok but why would you delete the folder and create it again if it already exists? 

[Mr_KoKa]

2 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

string path = moreSpecficFolder + "\\SpecsBoss_Version.txt"; 
if (Directory.Exists(path))

 

Isn't that will always return false since you're checking if directory exists on file path?

[AlTech]

Just now, bughtoo said:

Seems ok but why would you delete the folder and create it again if it already exists? 

So I can overwrite the file and always have the correct information from the file.

I expect the contents of the file to be updated after users install the app. Thus I need to be able to delete it and re-make it to ensure the contents is correct

 

1 minute ago, Mr_KoKa said:

Isn't that will always return false since you're checking if directory exists on file path?

This will return true if the user runs the program after the initial setup and opening of the program.

[bughtoo]

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

snip

Well to delete one file you dont have to delete the whole folder  And there are i think parameters of the functions you are using which doesnt Append to file but Rewrite it

[Mr_KoKa]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

This will return true if the user runs the program after the initial setup and opening of the program.

But you're checking Directory.Exists on a file, which isn't directory, even if the file will exists, Directory.Exist will return false for file.

var filePath = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + @"\Advanced\settings.ini";

            Console.WriteLine("Directory.Exists: {0}", Directory.Exists(filePath));
            Console.WriteLine("File.Exists: {0}", File.Exists(filePath));

The above code would return

Directory.Exists: False
File.Exists: True

 

For existing file.

[AlTech]

2 minutes ago, Mr_KoKa said:

But you're checking Directory.Exists on a file, which isn't directory, even if the file will exists, Directory.Exist will return false for file.

var filePath = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData) + @"\Advanced\settings.ini";

            Console.WriteLine("Directory.Exists: {0}", Directory.Exists(filePath));
            Console.WriteLine("File.Exists: {0}", File.Exists(filePath));

The above code would return

Directory.Exists: False
File.Exists: True

 

For existing file.

K.

 

I'll just make it delete the directory and replace it every time.

[Mr_KoKa]

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

K.

 

I'll just make it delete the directory and replace it every time.

WriteAllLines documentation says that "If the target file already exists, it is overwritten." so there is no need to delete directory.

 

Also, this file is created for another application right? Cause you only create file, and never read it in this code.

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, Mr_KoKa said:

WriteAllLines documentation says that "If the target file already exists, it is overwritten." so there is no need to delete directory.

 

Also, this file is created for another application right? Cause you only create file, and never read it in this code.

The file is used in another program.

 

I will remove the bit forcing it to delete the directory every time.