.net – How to read embedded resource text file

.netembedded-resourcestreamreader

How do I read an embedded resource (text file) using StreamReader and return it as a string? My current script uses a Windows form and textbox that allows the user to find and replace text in a text file that is not embedded. 

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    StringCollection strValuesToSearch = new StringCollection();
    strValuesToSearch.Add("Apple");
    string stringToReplace;
    stringToReplace = textBox1.Text;

    StreamReader FileReader = new StreamReader(@"C:\MyFile.txt");
    string FileContents;
    FileContents = FileReader.ReadToEnd();
    FileReader.Close();
    foreach (string s in strValuesToSearch)
    {
        if (FileContents.Contains(s))
            FileContents = FileContents.Replace(s, stringToReplace);
    }
    StreamWriter FileWriter = new StreamWriter(@"MyFile.txt");
    FileWriter.Write(FileContents);
    FileWriter.Close();
}

Best Solution

You can use the Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream Method:

  1. Add the following usings

    using System.IO;
using System.Reflection;

  2. Set property of relevant file:
    Parameter Build Action with value Embedded Resource

  3. Use the following code

    var assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
var resourceName = "MyCompany.MyProduct.MyFile.txt";

using (Stream stream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(resourceName))
using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(stream))
{
    string result = reader.ReadToEnd();
}

    resourceName is the name of one of the resources embedded in assembly. For example, if you embed a text file named "MyFile.txt" that is placed in the root of a project with default namespace "MyCompany.MyProduct", then resourceName is "MyCompany.MyProduct.MyFile.txt". You can get a list of all resources in an assembly using the Assembly.GetManifestResourceNames Method.

A no brainer astute to get the resourceName from the file name only (by pass the namespace stuff):

string resourceName = assembly.GetManifestResourceNames()
  .Single(str => str.EndsWith("YourFileName.txt"));

A complete example:

public string ReadResource(string name)
{
    // Determine path
    var assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
    string resourcePath = name;
    // Format: "{Namespace}.{Folder}.{filename}.{Extension}"
    if (!name.StartsWith(nameof(SignificantDrawerCompiler)))
    {
        resourcePath = assembly.GetManifestResourceNames()
            .Single(str => str.EndsWith(name));
    }

    using (Stream stream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(resourcePath))
    using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(stream))
    {
        return reader.ReadToEnd();
    }
}
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