How to use resources and files in C#

Question

I have a program that consists of images. I want to put some images in a folder and show the content of that folder dynamically. the program should be portable. What should I do? I tried the following code but did not work:

String path = "Resources/Location.txt";
String path2 = "/IconImagesForDummies/Icon";
ObservableCollection<IconImagesForDummies> icons = new ObservableCollection<IconImagesForDummies>();
String[] lines = null;
if (File.Exists(path))
   lines = File.ReadAllLines(path, Encoding.Unicode);
if (lines != null)
{
   for (int i = 0; i < lines.Length; ++i)
   {
        String str = path2 + @"/" + lines[i];
        if (File.Exists(str))
           icons.Add(new IconImagesForDummies() { Name = str });
   }
}
else
   throw new Exception("The Location.txt which stores the location of icons is missing");
if (icons.Count == 0)
   throw new Exception("There is no icon image");

Location.txt contains the name of images. My problem is that the program could not find the Location.txt. I have inserted Location.txt in resources. I have to mention that I also used another approach. I made a new folder and instead of String path = "Resources/Location.txt";, I used the folder name but it did not work too. What should I do?

I think you are having a problem with your relative path. Debug this `if (File.Exists(path))`. Does the path exists? You might want to read this to get a better understanding: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3259583/how-to-get-files-in-a-relative-path-in-c-sharp — Natrium, Sep 13 '16 at 05:39
@Natrium actually it does not exits and the problem is that in my solution explorer it exists but not in the output file, that is why I used the resources but again not working — Green Falcon, Sep 13 '16 at 05:40
@Natrium actually I also do not know how to put a folder beside the executable program with code — Green Falcon, Sep 13 '16 at 05:43
Did you set the Property `Copy to output folder` of the `Location.txt` file? (To `copy always` or `copy if newer`) — Bojan B, Sep 13 '16 at 05:43
@BojanB its build action is resources, and I rebuild solution too, but still useless — Green Falcon, Sep 13 '16 at 05:48
Change your path to `String path = "./Resources/Location.txt";` — Richa Garg, Sep 13 '16 at 05:49
Try changing the `build action` to `content` and `copy to output folder` to `copy always` — Bojan B, Sep 13 '16 at 05:51
@BojanB Thanks, It did the job, please answer to close the question :) — Green Falcon, Sep 13 '16 at 05:53

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 13 '16 at 05:59

If the file is not copied into the output folder of the project, try setting the build action property to content and make sure the copy to output folder property of the file is set to either copy always or copy if newer - depending on the requirements of the project.

Setting the build action as Resource in a WPF Project compiles the file in to the assembly or executable. That is why such a file will not be found in the output folder.

From MSDN:

Resource Files: Data files that are compiled into either an executable or library WPF assembly.

How to use resources and files in C#

1 Answers1