CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#path
chwi
chwi

Reputation: 2802

File not found on File.Exists with spaces in path

If my executable is running from a path with no spaces, this

if(!File.Exists(@"\program.exe"))
    MessageBox.Show("File not found");

doesn't fire. But, if the program executes from a path with spaces, like C:\Program Files\etc\ I get a file not found. My executable application and program.exe lies in the same folder.

How can I avoid this?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 3581

Answers (5)

Stefano Bafaro
Stefano Bafaro

Reputation: 913

To check the existence of your file in the "current directory", you have not to put the "\" character. So:

if(!File.Exists("program.exe"))
    MessageBox.Show("File not found");

Here a little explanation.

Upvotes: 0

Mike Perrenoud
Mike Perrenoud

Reputation: 67928

Though it may seem like the path has something to do with it, it's the Working Directory. Try this code:

var path = Path.Combine(
    Path.GetDirectoryName(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location),
        "program.exe");
if (!File.Exists(path))

The path in which is it launched wouldn't cause that code to fail. However, when the working directory isn't what's expected; that will.

Furthermore, never assume that you're in a specific directory. Always provide a fully qualified path. Objects like the SaveFileDialog and OpenFileDialog can change the working directory on you at runtime.

Upvotes: 4

Weyland Yutani
Weyland Yutani

Reputation: 4960

File.Exist(@"\program.exe")

will check for program.exe at the root of the drive, eg c:\program.exe if your program is running from c:

Upvotes: 0

Tigran
Tigran

Reputation: 62265

I would simply remove "\" from the argument of the method File.Exists(@"program.exe"), and check the current working directory by GetCurremtDirectory to be sure that relative path you are passing (that is relative path) constructs correct full path to executable.

Upvotes: 0

Deepak Bhatia
Deepak Bhatia

Reputation: 6276

Just get the execution directory path and append it to your exe file name

string DirPath = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);
if(!File.Exists(DirPath + @"\program.exe"))
    MessageBox.Show("File not found");

Upvotes: 1

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