C# File Association: passing double clicked file path to string

Question

I recently made a notepad like program for C# and found a library for using file associations. I am wondering how I would pass the path of the file double clicked in explorer, to a string so the file can read and 'open' the text file (like how notepad does). I have googled for a while, and asked around a few forums, and my friends. Any answers or nudges in the right direction are appreciated. Thank You

(note: I've already tried reading it from the string[] args paramater in Main(), which was suggested by someone else)

EDIT: Solved, it was the args[0]. I was really tired when I started on this

are you asking how to associate a file extension with your program? — Sam I am says Reinstate Monica, Jul 13 '12 at 16:28
Check out my similar question here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7798259/how-to-execute-an-event-of-already-launched-application-with-file-association — James, Jul 13 '12 at 16:28
or are you asking `When a file has been opened using my program, how do I access that file`? — Sam I am says Reinstate Monica, Jul 13 '12 at 16:30
@Oded when I did string filePath = args[0]; and it returned an index out of bounds exception — Lucas Stanesa, Jul 13 '12 at 16:31
How have you associated the file type with your application? — Oded, Jul 13 '12 at 16:33
Can you show us how you handle the args in your application? — GETah, Jul 13 '12 at 16:34
protip: since people took the time to write you an answer, you might want to see if at least one of the provided answers is indeed correct and mark it as such. — Sam I am says Reinstate Monica, Jul 13 '12 at 16:46

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 13 '12 at 16:37

This works fine for me!

public static void Main(string[] args){            
     if (args.Length == 0){
       // Show your application usage or show an error box              
       return;
     }
     string file = args[0];
     Application.Run(new MyProgram(file));           
}

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 13 '12 at 16:33

3

The suggestion was correct, the filename you double-click on in explorer will be visible in your app as an args parameter. Then you can do what you like with it, such as open a file.

answered Jul 13 '12 at 16:33

Surfbutler

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 13 '12 at 16:39

I've just made the following program

When opening a file with this program, it tells me the path of the file.

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {

        Console.WriteLine(args.Length);
        foreach (string s in args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(s);
        }
        Console.ReadLine();

    }
}

the output for me was

1
C:\Users\MyUserName\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\ConsoleApplication1\ConsoleApplication1\bin\Debug\New Text Document.txt

you might want to execute a similar program, by using file.openWith, to see what happens.

C# File Association: passing double clicked file path to string

3 Answers3