Getting relative path of file?

Question

I have a file called settings.xml located at:

c:\solution1\solution1\data\settings.xml

Right now, I am doing:

XDocument doc = XDocument.Load(@"c:\solution1\solution1\settings.xml");

I can't figure how to do it with a relative path.

See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/362790/what-is-the-best-way-to-determine-application-root-directory — abatishchev, Oct 02 '12 at 21:35

Eric J. · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-02T21:35:01.343

5

If you mean relative to your executable, you can use

string exeLocation = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().CodeBase

Note the frequently suggested

System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location

will get the path where the assembly is currently located, which can be different e.g. if a shadow copy is being executed.

You can use

string exeDir = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(exeLocation);

to get the executable's directory.

If you want to find a file that is in a data directory under your install location, you could do

string dataFile = Path.Combine(exeDir, "data\settings.xml");

Note that under Windows Vista and later, you will not have write access by default to a directory located under your install directory.

edited Oct 02 '12 at 21:35

answered Oct 02 '12 at 21:29

Eric J.

In my case, my Data directory is not underneath my exe directory – Xaisoft Oct 03 '12 at 13:18
What then do you want the Data directory to be relative *to*? – Eric J. Oct 03 '12 at 23:53
I changed the Build Action to Content and Copied the File if newer, so I am now using the exe directory path. – Xaisoft Oct 04 '12 at 13:20

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 02 '12 at 21:31

0

You can also get relative to the current directory it was started from

System.Environment.CurrentDirectory

answered Oct 02 '12 at 21:31

AlSki

3

The current directory can change (for example by using a file dialog). This solution would work only by accident, not by principle. – usr Oct 02 '12 at 21:33
Just because it changes does not mean that isn't desired. – AlSki Oct 02 '12 at 21:38

2 Answers2