Back to: C# .NET Tutorial

File Handling in C#

File handling in C# is crucial for managing and manipulating file operations efficiently. This comprehensive lesson delves into various aspects of file handling, including reading, writing, copying, and deleting files, providing a thorough understanding of these file operations through detailed code examples.

Reading from a File

Reading data from a file is a fundamental file handling operation. The StreamReader class facilitates reading text from a file, as shown in the following example:

using System;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader("example.txt"))
        {
            string line;
            while ((line = reader.ReadLine()) != null)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(line);
            }
        }
    }
}

Writing to a File

Writing data to a file is essential for data persistence. The StreamWriter class allows seamless writing to a file, as demonstrated in the following example:

using System;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        using (StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter("example.txt"))
        {
            writer.WriteLine("Hello, File Handling!");
        }
    }
}

Copying a File

Copying files is a common file handling operation. The File class in C# enables easy file copying, as illustrated below:

using System;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string sourceFile = "example.txt";
        string destinationFile = "example_copy.txt";
        File.Copy(sourceFile, destinationFile);
    }
}

Deleting a File

Deleting files is essential for managing file resources. The File class allows simple file deletion, as shown in the example below:

using System;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string fileToDelete = "example.txt";
        File.Delete(fileToDelete);
    }
}

Mastering these file handling operations is vital for efficient file management and manipulation in C#. By utilizing these techniques, developers can ensure smooth file handling and streamlined file system operations within their applications.