Simple and plain question as this is the first time for me working with resources. To my console application/C# I have an xml file that contains some data, then I chose to add this xml file as a resource to my project, the question is, if I once need to change the data in the xml file, does the resource file update accordingly?
Thanks!
Yes, files added as resource stay in they original format and can be changed via normal editors for that file format. Obviously you will need to recompile project to see the change in resources.
Note that by default source files will be copied into project (so you need to modify copy in the project folder), but you can explicitly add "as link" to refer to some other file on your local disk.
Related
I just want to ask if it's possible to use an external text file as a query instead of using an embedded resource in a project. I've learned that the embedded resource is a read only property and not possible to edit the content of the file at run time. But what if the compiled code is not running? is it possible to edit the content of the embedded resource? And if that's the case, can it be stored in the BIN folder of the project?
I would like to modify the contents of a file placed in my project folder (Specifically "Assets/recentChanges.txt") at runtime. Let's say it contains information about recent changes in application. It is supposed to be read and bound to a textbox control, which later on can be edited by developers and saved back. The problem with content files is that they are copied to output directories and therefore I'm not editing the original file in Assets folder, but the one in bin/Debug/Assets/ folder. And the Embedded Resource build action is not an option since such files cannot be modified.
The question is: how can I modify mentioned .txt file in its original root/Assets/recentChanges.txt location during runtime? All of the below instructions point to similiar build-dependant path:
Environment.CurrentDirectory;
Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location;
Or, in other words, what would be the correct approach for implementing "Recent Changes" section with following conditions:
based on text file in its original project location
possibilty to modify the file at runtime through UI
file copied to the output folder and visible to the user (through textbox) in published application
I am aware that it's probably not the perfect approach, because "recent changes" info could be collected from database or the .txt file could be modified manually and then copied to output locations... but nevertheless I think the issue is somewhat confusing and I would love some help. Thanks!
The compiled and running application doesn't know anything about some "original" location. This location is only important to Visual Studio when the application is built.
If you want to modify the file in this folder you should specify an absolute path to it, i.e. "c:\your_project_folder\file.txt".
The .exe cannot be supposed to know from where it was compiled
I'm creating SpecFlow tests for an application that uses an xml settings file (example, C:\ssis\mySettingsFile.xml) to run. In one test, I want to save the file to disk, and then add that file to my project resources and clean up the disk location. Then, another test will unpack the resource to a temporary directory and use it from there.
I'm clear about the unpacking part, but is there a way to programatically pack the file into a project resource rather than manually adding it to the project using the VS GUI and marking it as an embedded resource?
I know this is wrong, but I'm thinking something along the lines of:
string myPath = "C:\ssis\mySettingsFile.xml";
TestHelper.ResourceDirectory = "$\...\...\Project.Folder.Resources";
myResource = TestHelper.PackResource(myPath);
myResource.IsEmbeddedResource = true;
...where PackResource method saves the file to the project resources.
Thanks in advance!
you can create a Resource Folder and add your xml to it.
When you click on Properties of the project, there will be a Resources tab wherein you can see your file.
To access the file, you can use ProjectNamespace.Properties.Resources.yourfilename.
I'm planning to build my winform into a .exe file. I'm just wondering what to do with the XML files that my application needs?
I did some research and found out that I can add the XML files in the Resource folder before creating a .exe file.
Or I need to create a setup file? When the user runs the setup file, the XML files will be installed into their pc.Now I wonder which one is the best way to go for,
Note: XML files might get modified by the user.
If you want to ship the XML files as seperate to the .EXE then you can set the Copy to Output Directory to Copy if newer. (click on file and then go to properties).
OR if you want it as part of the .EXE I think you can change the Build Action to Embedded Resource.
I personally would create a Setup as per your edit and include the XML files. I usually just add everthing from the bin/release folder that is needed when I create a setup file.
You could either deploy the necessary files along with the executable in the same folder or embed them as resources (if they are read-only). If you need to modify them do not embed them as resources into the executable.
The correct way depends on how you intend to use the files. If the files always are deployed together with your application, the application never writes to them and they are never upgraded without upgrading the application, you can go with them embedded as resources.
If you need to update them separately from the application, you need to have them as physical files.
You don't necessarely need a installation package, unless you need to apply some logic during setup, such as updating the content of the setup based on user input or to check preconditions. The application can just be copied into place regardless of if you have embedded the files or not.
I have a .NET C# 2.0 Project and it refers to many .xml files, i'd need these files when i port my project to another location or distribute it. I'm currently not interested in making it as a setup.exe file. I want to to be standalone. currently i've got all of them in a folder "FILES" within my project. So what i want to know is
Can i pack all these XML files inside a dll, so that it's secure and portable? If so how to do it?
When i build the program the FILES folder is not copied. How can i make it copy it as well?
You can mark the xml files as resources, and they will be packaged inside the assembly. Just set the "build action" to "embedded resource". Alternatively, use a resource file (resx), and drag the xml files onto the resx designer, and it'll do everything for you (including providing access methods to get the data back out).