CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.netdirectoryinfo
Phu Minh Pham
Phu Minh Pham

Reputation: 1055

C# How can I solve limitations when using DirectoryInfo?

When I recursive through some folders and files, I encounter this error:

The specified path, file name, or both are too long. The fully qualified file name must be less than 260 characters, and the directoryname must be less than 248 characters.

Here's my function

private void ProcessDirectory(DirectoryInfo di)
{
    try
    {
        DirectoryInfo[] diArr = di.GetDirectories();

        foreach (DirectoryInfo directoryInfo in diArr)
        {
            if (StopCheck)
                    return;
            ProcessDirectory(directoryInfo);
        }
        ProcessFile(di);
    }
    catch (Exception e)
    {
        listBoxError.Items.Add(e.Message);
    }

    TextBoxCurrentFolder.Text = di.ToString();
}

I cannot make the directory names shorter, because I'm not allowed too so... How can I solve this problem?

Added: Here's the other function:

private void ProcessFile(DirectoryInfo di)
{
    try
    {
        FileInfo[] fileInfo = di.GetFiles();

        if (fileInfo.LongLength != 0)
        {
            foreach (FileInfo info in fileInfo)
            {
                Size += info.Length;
                CountFile++;
            }
        }
    }
    catch (Exception e)
    {
        listBoxError.Items.Add(e.Message);
    }
}

EDIT Found this where he used Zeta Long Paths: How can I use FileInfo class, avoiding PathTooLongException?

Have implemented it and now i'm going to let the program run over the night to see if it works.

EDIT Used the ZetaLongPath yesterday and it worked great! It even went through folders that needed permission access.

EDIT Instead of zetalongPath, I've used Delimon.Win32.IO.dll which i think is much better. It has the same interfaces as Win32.

Upvotes: 10

Views: 13565

Answers (5)

TripleAntigen
TripleAntigen

Reputation: 2301

Here's more info about the Delimon library referred to earlier. Its a .NET Framework 4 based library on Microsoft TechNet for overcoming the long filenames problem:

Delimon.Win32.I​O Library (V4.0).

It has its own versions of key methods from System.IO. For example, you would replace:

System.IO.Directory.GetFiles

with 

Delimon.Win32.IO.Directory.GetFiles

which will let you handle long files and folders.

From the website:

Delimon.Win32.IO replaces basic file functions of System.IO and supports File & Folder names up to up to 32,767 Characters.

This Library is written on .NET Framework 4.0 and can be used either on x86 & x64 systems. The File & Folder limitations of the standard System.IO namespace can work with files that have 260 characters in a filename and 240 characters in a folder name (MAX_PATH is usually configured as 260 characters). Typically you run into the System.IO.PathTooLongException Error with the Standard .NET Library.

Upvotes: 8

Avner Shahar-Kashtan
Avner Shahar-Kashtan

Reputation: 14700

I also recommend reading this three-part blog post from the BCL Team, published in 2007, but relating specifically to the limitations of DirectoryInfo when it comes to deeply nested folders. It covers the history of the MAX_PATH limitation, the newer \?\ path format, and various .NET-based solutions and workarounds.

Comprehensive, though perhaps a bit dated.

Upvotes: -1

ken2k
ken2k

Reputation: 48975

You'll have to use P/Invoke and the Unicode version of the Win32 API functions. You'll need FindFirstFile, FindNextFile and FindClose functions.

Also see:

Upvotes: 1

Ignacio Soler Garcia
Ignacio Soler Garcia

Reputation: 21855

You can use the subst command. It creates a virtual drive starting at whatever folder you pass as parameter.

For example, you can turn the path c:\aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa\aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa\aaaaaaaaaaaaaa into the drive R: and continue exploring the subfolders of c:\aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa\aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa\aaaaaaaaaaaaaa thru R:...

Do you know what I mean?

Upvotes: 0

Andy
Andy

Reputation: 8562

This is a known limitation in Windows: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa365247.aspx

I don't believe you'll be able to get around it, so whoever is telling you that you aren't allowed to make them shorter, you'll have a pretty solid argument as to why you have to.

The only real alternative is to move the deep folder somewhere else, maybe right at the root of your drive.

EDIT: Actually there may be a workaround: http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/11/filesystem-paths-how-long-is-too-long.html

Upvotes: 2

Related Questions