C# – File.WriteAllText and File.Copy issue

I am creating a file using File.WriteAllText and copying the same file to another directory using File.Copy method. But for some reason it doesn't create a file in the source directory but it does copy it to destination directory.

What could be the problem? Please let me know.

File.WriteAllText(sourceFilePath, Contents.ToString());
File.Copy(sourceFilePath, destFilePath);

Best Answer

Well, you know for a fact that the file actually did get created, otherwise File.Copy() throws an exception. And File.Copy() never deletes the source file, like File.Move() does.

The simplest explanation is that the file is just getting created in a folder that you didn't expect. Which is common if sourceFilePath is not an absolute path. This commonly happens when you've used OpenFileDialog with its RestoreDirectory property set to false. For example.

Avoid this by always using absolute paths. Environment.GetFolderPath() is your friend.

Related Solutions

C# – the difference between String and string in C#

string is an alias in C# for System.String.
So technically, there is no difference. It's like int vs. System.Int32.

As far as guidelines, it's generally recommended to use string any time you're referring to an object.

e.g.

string place = "world";

Likewise, I think it's generally recommended to use String if you need to refer specifically to the class.

e.g.

string greet = String.Format("Hello {0}!", place);

This is the style that Microsoft tends to use in their examples.

It appears that the guidance in this area may have changed, as StyleCop now enforces the use of the C# specific aliases.

C# – Copy the entire contents of a directory in C#

Much easier

private static void CopyFilesRecursively(string sourcePath, string targetPath)
{
    //Now Create all of the directories
    foreach (string dirPath in Directory.GetDirectories(sourcePath, "*", SearchOption.AllDirectories))
    {
        Directory.CreateDirectory(dirPath.Replace(sourcePath, targetPath));
    }

    //Copy all the files & Replaces any files with the same name
    foreach (string newPath in Directory.GetFiles(sourcePath, "*.*",SearchOption.AllDirectories))
    {
        File.Copy(newPath, newPath.Replace(sourcePath, targetPath), true);
    }
}

Best Answer

Related Solutions

C# – the difference between String and string in C#

This is the style that Microsoft tends to use in their examples.

C# – Copy the entire contents of a directory in C#

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