We Keep Coding

ConfigurationManager.OpenMappedExeConfiguration "because it is being used by another process"

I'd like to re-read the MySolution.main.config (my app.config) thanks FileSystemWatcher when users modify it. I built a wrapper called FileWatcher.
Catching OnChanged event with this piece of code
var map = new ExeConfigurationFileMap { ExeConfigFilename = _appConfigFilePath };
var config = ConfigurationManager.OpenMappedExeConfiguration(map, ConfigurationUserLevel.None);
raises this exception
System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException HResult=0x80131902
Message=An error occurred loading a configuration file: The process
cannot access the file
'C:\Source\Solutions\MySolution_1.2.3\MySolution\bin\Debug\MySolution.main.config'
because it is being used by another process.
(C:\Source\Solutions\MySolution_1.2.3\MySolution\bin\Debug\MySolution.main.config)
Source=System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager StackTrace: at
System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean
ignoreLocal) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/ConfigurationSchemaErrors.cs:line
71 at
System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors
schemaErrors) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/BaseConfigurationRecord.cs:line
3634 at System.Configuration.Configuration..ctor(String
locationSubPath, Type typeConfigHost, Object[]
hostInitConfigurationParams) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/Configuration.cs:line
75 at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationHost.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationFileMap
fileMap, Boolean isMachine, ConfigurationUserLevel userLevel, String
exePath) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/ClientConfigurationHost.cs:line
485 at
System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfigurationImpl(ConfigurationFileMap
fileMap, Boolean isMachine, ConfigurationUserLevel userLevel, String
exePath, Boolean preLoad) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/ConfigurationManager.cs:line
214 at
System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.OpenMappedExeConfiguration(ExeConfigurationFileMap
fileMap, ConfigurationUserLevel userLevel) in
//src/libraries/System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager/src/System/Configuration/ConfigurationManager.cs:line
192 at
Siav.MySolution.Log.ConfigurationUtil.FileWatcher.OnChanged(Object
sender, FileSystemEventArgs e) in
C:\Source\Solutions\MySolution_1.2.3\Siav.MySolution.Log\ConfigurationUtil\FileWatcher.cs:line
60 at System.IO.FileSystemWatcher.OnChanged(FileSystemEventArgs e)
in f:\dd\NDP\fx\src\services\io\system\io\FileSystemWatcher.cs:line
822 at System.IO.FileSystemWatcher.NotifyFileSystemEventArgs(Int32
action, String name) in
f:\dd\NDP\fx\src\services\io\system\io\FileSystemWatcher.cs:line 773
at System.IO.FileSystemWatcher.CompletionStatusChanged(UInt32
errorCode, UInt32 numBytes, NativeOverlapped* overlappedPointer) in
f:\dd\NDP\fx\src\services\io\system\io\FileSystemWatcher.cs:line 594
at
System.Threading._IOCompletionCallback.PerformIOCompletionCallback(UInt32
errorCode, UInt32 numBytes, NativeOverlapped* pOVERLAP) in
f:\dd\ndp\clr\src\BCL\system\threading\overlapped.cs:line 121
This exception was originally thrown at this call stack:
System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(int, string) in __error.cs
System.IO.FileStream.Init(string, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, int, bool, System.IO.FileShare, int,
System.IO.FileOptions,
Microsoft.Win32.Win32Native.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES, string, bool, bool,
bool) in filestream.cs
System.IO.FileStream.FileStream(string, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, System.IO.FileShare) in filestream.cs
System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigHost.StaticOpenStreamForRead(string)
in InternalConfigHost.cs
System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigHost.System.Configuration.Internal.IInternalConfigHost.OpenStreamForRead(string)
in InternalConfigHost.cs
System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationHost.OpenStreamForRead(string)
in ClientConfigurationHost.cs
System.Configuration.UpdateConfigHost.OpenStreamForRead(string) in UpdateConfigHost.cs
System.Configuration.ImplicitMachineConfigHost.OpenStreamForRead(string)
in ImplicitMachineConfigHost.cs
System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile() in BaseConfigurationRecord.cs
Inner Exception 1: IOException: The process cannot access the file
'C:\Source\Solutions\MySolution_1.2.3\MySolution\bin\Debug\MySolution.main.config'
because it is being used by another process.
I tried with a simple lock, it doesn't work.
This is the constructor of my wrapper
public FileWatcher(string appConfigFilePath)
{
_appConfigFilePath = appConfigFilePath;
_lastRead = DateTime.MinValue;
var watcher = new FileSystemWatcher(Path.GetDirectoryName(_appConfigFilePath))
{
Filter = Path.GetFileName(_appConfigFilePath),
NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.LastWrite,
EnableRaisingEvents = true
};
watcher.Changed += OnChanged;
watcher.Error += OnError;
}
Any suggestions?
Thanks

I had to manage some retry to access the file as log4net does. I suggest to you to do the same (log4net source is available on github)

WinFoms Designer in VS2019 won't open newly created form

I have a simple C# project (SDK style, targetting .NET Framework 4.8). When I right click my project and add a new WinForm, the designer refuses to open the form. It just shows this error message:
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
The callstack that is shown below the error message does not help (me) at all:
at System.Resources.Tools.StronglyTypedResourceBuilder.Create(IDictionary resourceList, String baseName, String generatedCodeNamespace, String resourcesNamespace, CodeDomProvider codeProvider, Boolean internalClass, String[]& unmatchable)
at System.Resources.Tools.StronglyTypedResourceBuilder.Create(IDictionary resourceList, String baseName, String generatedCodeNamespace, CodeDomProvider codeProvider, Boolean internalClass, String[]& unmatchable)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObject.BuildType()
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObject.GetObjectType()
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design.GlobalType.get_ObjectType()
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObject.get_Children()
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObjectProvider.CreateGlobalObjectsForItem(ProjectItem item, GlobalObjectCollection oldObjects, GlobalObjectCollection newObjects, ITypeResolutionService typeResolver)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObjectProvider.CreateGlobalObjectsForItem(ProjectItem item, GlobalObjectCollection oldObjects, GlobalObjectCollection newObjects, ITypeResolutionService typeResolver)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObjectProvider.CreateGlobalObjectsForItem(ProjectItem item, GlobalObjectCollection oldObjects, GlobalObjectCollection newObjects, ITypeResolutionService typeResolver)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObjectProvider.CreateGlobalObjects(Project project)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.ResXGlobalObjectProvider.GetGlobalObjectsCore(Project project, Type baseType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design.GlobalObjectProvider.GetGlobalObjects(Project project, Type baseType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design.GlobalObjectService.GetGlobalObjects(Type baseType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.AggregateTypeResolutionService.GetTypeFromGlobalObjects(String name, Boolean throwOnError, Boolean ignoreCase)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.AggregateTypeResolutionService.GetType(String name, Boolean throwOnError, Boolean ignoreCase)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.AggregateTypeResolutionService.GetType(String name)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.DesignerSerializationManager.GetRuntimeType(String typeName)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.DesignerSerializationManager.GetType(String typeName)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.DesignerSerializationManager.System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.IDesignerSerializationManager.GetType(String typeName)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.CodeDomSerializerBase.GetType(IDesignerSerializationManager manager, String name, Dictionary`2 names)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.CodeDomSerializerBase.FillStatementTable(IDesignerSerializationManager manager, IDictionary table, Dictionary`2 names, CodeStatementCollection statements, String className)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.TypeCodeDomSerializer.Deserialize(IDesignerSerializationManager manager, CodeTypeDeclaration declaration)
at System.ComponentModel.Design.Serialization.CodeDomDesignerLoader.PerformLoad(IDesignerSerializationManager manager)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.VSCodeDomDesignerLoader.PerformLoad(IDesignerSerializationManager serializationManager)
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.VSCodeDomDesignerLoader.PerformLoad(IDesignerSerializationManager serializationManager)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Design.Serialization.CodeDom.VSCodeDomDesignerLoader.DeferredLoadHandler.Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextManager.Interop.IVsTextBufferDataEvents.OnLoadCompleted(Int32 fReload)
Has anyone seen this kind of behavior?
Is there any way to make the designer load the WinForm?

System.Printing.PrintServer Win32Exception Cannot create a file when that file already exists

I occasionally get an unanticipated exception thrown when I try creating a new variable in my code, and I am at a total loss trying to understand what might be causing the issue.
Any guidance or suggestions will be gratefully received
Thanks!
The code ...
using System.Printing;
var ps = new PrintServer();
The exception ...
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception (0x80004005): Cannot create a file when that file already exists
at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.RegisterClassEx(WNDCLASSEX_D wc_d)
at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper..ctor(Int32 classStyle, Int32 style, Int32 exStyle, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height, String name, IntPtr parent, HwndWrapperHook[] hooks)
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher..ctor()
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.get_CurrentDispatcher()
at System.Printing.PrintServer.Initialize(String path, String[] propertiesFilter, PrinterDefaults printerDefaults)
at System.Printing.PrintServer..ctor()
namespace System.Printing info ...
#region Assembly System.Printing, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
// C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework\.NETFramework\v4.6.1\System.Printing.dll
#endregion

ComException HRESULT: 0x800A03EC thrown when attempting to add Validation to a Range

When trying to use the Range.Validation.Add() method, I'm consistently getting a very unfriendly error:
************** Exception Text **************
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800A03EC): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800A03EC
at System.RuntimeType.ForwardCallToInvokeMember(String memberName, BindingFlags flags, Object target, Int32[] aWrapperTypes, MessageData& msgData)
at Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel.Validation.Add(XlDVType Type, Object AlertStyle, Object Operator, Object Formula1, Object Formula2)
at TravelPlannerTools.Sheet8.OperaCodesDropDown() in C:\Users\Michael Utz\Documents\Visual Studio 2015\Projects\TravelPlannerTools\TravelPlannerTools\Sheet8.cs:line 39
at TravelPlannerTools.Sheet8.Sheet8_Startup(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\Michael Utz\Documents\Visual Studio 2015\Projects\TravelPlannerTools\TravelPlannerTools\Sheet8.cs:line 27
at Microsoft.Office.Tools.Excel.WorksheetImpl.OnStartup()
at Microsoft.Office.Tools.Excel.WorksheetImpl.WorksheetExtensionImpl.Microsoft.Office.Tools.EntryPoint.OnStartup()
at Microsoft.Office.Tools.Excel.WorksheetBase.OnStartup()
at TravelPlannerTools.Sheet8.FinishInitialization() in C:\Users\Michael Utz\Documents\Visual Studio 2015\Projects\TravelPlannerTools\TravelPlannerTools\Sheet8.Designer.cs:line 50
at Microsoft.Office.Tools.Excel.WorksheetBase.Microsoft.Office.Tools.EntryPoint.FinishInitialization()
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Tools.Office.Runtime.DomainCreator.ExecuteCustomization.ExecutePhase(ExecutionPhases executionPhases)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Tools.Office.Runtime.DomainCreator.ExecuteCustomization.Microsoft.VisualStudio.Tools.Office.Runtime.Interop.IExecuteCustomization2.ExecuteEntryPoints()
************** Loaded Assemblies **************
I am using the proper version of Excel and trying to perform a very simple task.
var list = new List<string>();
list.Add("Lann");
list.Add("Latl");
list.Add("LBBB");
var flatList = string.Join(",", list.ToArray());
var cell = Globals.Sheet8.Cells.Range["A2"];
cell.Validation.Delete();
cell.Validation.Add(
Excel.XlDVType.xlValidateList,
Excel.XlDVAlertStyle.xlValidAlertStop,
Excel.XlFormatConditionOperator.xlBetween,
flatList,
System.Type.Missing
);
cell.Validation.IgnoreBlank = true;
cell.Validation.InCellDropdown = true;
Any ideas?

The cell I was trying to write to was on a protected sheet. Using the Worksheet.Protect() and Worksheet.Unprotect() methods to toggle protection before and after the operation cleared up the error!

How to pass parameters for a managed code dll in installshield?

I have a dotnet script which is for encryption and decryption. I have to pass the parameters for the setvalues function in installshield. How can I achieve this? Dotnet code is as follows. I have the assembly (.dll) file.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Configuration;
using System.Security;
using System.Xml;
using System.Collections.Specialized;
namespace EncryptionDecryption
{
public class EncrptionHelper
{
#region Member variables
static byte[] entropy = { 0, 8, 2, 3, 5 };
#endregion
#region Public Methods
public static void SetValue(string configFilePathName, string appSettingKey, string appSettingValue)
{
appSettingValue = EncryptString(ToSecureString(appSettingValue));
SetSetting(appSettingKey, appSettingValue, configFilePathName);
}
public static string GetValue(string configFilePathName, string appSettingKey)
{
string value = GetSetting(appSettingKey, configFilePathName);
value = ToInsecureString( DecryptString(value));
return value;
}
#endregion
#region Private Methods
private static bool SetSetting(string Key, string Value, string configFilePath)
{
bool result = false;
try
{
// System.Configuration.Configuration config = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(configFilePath);
// config.AppSettings.File = configFilePath;
// config.AppSettings.Settings[Key].Value = Value;
// config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);
XmlDocument xmlDoc = new XmlDocument();
xmlDoc.Load(configFilePath);
xmlDoc.SelectSingleNode("//appSettings/add[#key='" + Key +"']").Attributes["value"].Value = Value;
xmlDoc.Save(configFilePath);
ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection("appSettings");
result = true;
}
finally
{ }
return result;
}
private static string GetSetting(string Key, string configFilePath)
{
string result = null;
try
{
XmlDocument appSettingsDoc = new XmlDocument();
appSettingsDoc.Load(configFilePath);
XmlNode node = appSettingsDoc.SelectSingleNode("//appSettings");
XmlElement value = (XmlElement)node.SelectSingleNode(string.Format("//add[#key='" + Key + "']"));
result = (value.GetAttribute("value").ToString());
}
finally
{ }
return result;
}
private static SecureString ToSecureString(string input)
{
SecureString secure = new SecureString();
foreach (char c in input)
{
secure.AppendChar(c);
}
secure.MakeReadOnly();
return secure;
}
private static string ToInsecureString(SecureString input)
{
string returnValue = string.Empty;
IntPtr ptr = System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.SecureStringToBSTR(input);
try
{
returnValue = System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.PtrToStringBSTR(ptr);
}
finally
{
System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ZeroFreeBSTR(ptr);
}
return returnValue;
}
private static string EncryptString(System.Security.SecureString input)
{
byte[] encryptedData = System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData.Protect(
System.Text.Encoding.Unicode.GetBytes(ToInsecureString(input)), entropy, System.Security.Cryptography.DataProtectionScope.CurrentUser);
return Convert.ToBase64String(encryptedData);
}
private static SecureString DecryptString(string encryptedData)
{
try
{
byte[] decryptedData = System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData.Unprotect(
Convert.FromBase64String(encryptedData),
entropy,
System.Security.Cryptography.DataProtectionScope.CurrentUser);
return ToSecureString(System.Text.Encoding.Unicode.GetString(decryptedData));
}
catch
{
return new SecureString();
}
}
#endregion
}
}
Update: Action start 14:31:36: Encryption.
MSI (c) (84:40) [14:31:36:525]: Invoking remote custom action. DLL: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\MSIE259.tmp, Entrypoint: m1
InstallShield: Attempting to load through CLR 4 APIs...
InstallShield: Getting meta host...
InstallShield: Enumerating available runtimes...
InstallShield: Highest available runtime: v4.0.30319
InstallShield: Trying to use highest runtime...
InstallShield: Using highest version runtime...
InstallShield: Loading assembly Security.Encryption from resource 4097
InstallShield: Calling method with parameters [(System.String)C:\Program Files (x86)\<Installdir>\<configfilename>.config, (System.String)VWFPassword, (System.String)]
InstallShield: Exception: System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path 'C:\Program Files (x86)\<Installdir>\<configfilename>.config'.
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.FileStream.Init(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, Int32 rights, Boolean useRights, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES secAttrs, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy, Boolean useLongPath)
at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize)
at System.Xml.XmlDownloadManager.GetStream(Uri uri, ICredentials credentials, IWebProxy proxy, RequestCachePolicy cachePolicy)
at System.Xml.XmlUrlResolver.GetEntity(Uri absoluteUri, String role, Type ofObjectToReturn)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.OpenUrlDelegate(Object xmlResolver)
at System.Threading.CompressedStack.runTryCode(Object userData)
at
System.Runtime.CompilerServices.RuntimeHelpers.ExecuteCodeWithGuaranteedCleanup(TryCode code, CleanupCode backoutCode, Object userData)
at System.Threading.CompressedStack.Run(CompressedStack compressedStack, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.OpenUrl()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(String filename)
at Security.Encryption.EncrptionHelper.SetSetting(String appSettingKey, String appsettingValue, String configFilePathName)
at Security.Encryption.EncrptionHelper.SetValue(String configFilePathName, String appSettingKey, String appSettingValue)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeMethodFast(IRuntimeMethodInfo method, Object target, Object[] arguments, SignatureStruct& sig, MethodAttributes methodAttributes, RuntimeType typeOwner)
at System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethodFast(IRuntimeMethodInfo method, Object target, Object[] arguments, Signature sig, MethodAttributes methodAttributes, RuntimeType typeOwner)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture, Boolean skipVisibilityChecks)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
at InstallShield.ClrHelper.CustomActionHelper.CallMethod(EntryPointInfo info)
at InstallShield.ClrHelper.CustomActionHelper.RunAction(UInt32 installHandle, Int32 entryNumber, Int64 instanceHandle)
InstallShield: Managed code threw an unhandled exception.
This is the error I receive after doing all that is mentioned in the screenshots below and doing some R&D. The directory mentioned "C:\Program Files (x86)\\.config" exists when the encryption custiom action is being called but it throws an exception.

Yes, it can be done with following steps:
1- write your required functionality in c# installer class (make sure your are using installer class)
2- Compile and add your dll into installshield (recomended create a separate component for this dll)
3- Select component view -> select above component and go to .Net settings section, set the ".Net Installer class" to true. Set the ".net installer class parameters"
Parameters are passed as key/value pair e.g
/targetDirectory="[INSTALLDIR]\"
All steps are same, just added screenshots.
Create a dll with an installer class and your encrypt/decrypt class.
Add dll and config file to component(above mentioned), if config file is already added to some other component then its fine. no need to add again.
I have added and retrieved INSTALLDIR variable as argument which is predefined. if you want to receive some input from user (from some custom textboxes) then you will need to define your own variables to store and pass values as arguments.
Creating dll with installer class and your requred logic for other task
Creating component and adding files
Mark the dll as installer class and pass arguments
Here goes installer class:
using System;
using System.Text;
using System.IO;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Configuration.Install;
using System.Collections.Generic;
namespace EncryptionDecryption
{
[RunInstaller(true)]
public class InstallerClassDemo : Installer
{
private string installationDirectory=string.Empty;
private string testString=string.Empty ;
public override void Install(System.Collections.IDictionary stateSaver)
{
base.Install(stateSaver);
try
{
//For testing purpose only.. work only in debug mode when pdb files are deployed as well.
//Debugger.Break();
installationDirectory = Context.Parameters["INSTALLDIR"];
//I believe, the config file must be located in the installation directory if so, then use the following way to compute path
string configFilePath = Path.Combine(installationDirectory, "myConfigFile.config");
EncrptionHelper.SetValue(configFilePath, "testKey", "testValue");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
}
protected override void OnCommitted(System.Collections.IDictionary savedState)
{
base.OnCommitted(savedState);
}
public override void Uninstall(System.Collections.IDictionary savedState)
{
base.Uninstall(savedState);
}
}
}

I think installshield cannot (or need extra work) for read your assemblies, but you can run simple console application which consume your assemblies from installscript and passing parameter from installshield.
Create simple console application
Include console application on Support Files
Copy to installation folder or assemblies location, so console application can access your assemblies
Launch from installscript using launchappandwait
If consoleapp.exe not use anymore, just delete it.