naming the text file C#

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I am using Command-based (console application) I want to create a text file and name it as the user name entered by the user, for example if the user enter the user name (Ali) the text file will be created Ali.txt, how can I do that

C#

Console.Write("Username: ");
                string Username = (Console.ReadLine());
                string fileName = Username+ ".txt";
                        string path = System.IO.Path.Combine(@"E:\\", fileName);
                         using (StreamWriter sw = File.CreateText(path))

Posted 31-Oct-15 11:34am

R.M49

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Comments

Maciej Los 31-Oct-15 18:01pm

What's the problem?

R.M49 31-Oct-15 18:11pm

It give me error in this line string fileName = Username+ ".txt"; for the username

Maciej Los 31-Oct-15 18:19pm

Replace @"E:\\" with @"E:\"

BillWoodruff 31-Oct-15 18:08pm

You are close to a solution: read the documentation on StreamReader

Richard Deeming 2-Nov-15 11:11am

One other thing to consider: there are several characters which are not allowed in Windows file names. What happens if the user types one of those characters? Currently, you code will either crash, or create the file in an unexpected place.

You might want to check the entered string against the list of characters returned from the Path.GetInvalidFileNameChars[^] method, and warn the user if they have entered an invalid character.

2 solutions

Solution 3

To add to what Maciej has shown you here:

There are several ways to create a "blank" File can be created in C#:

1.

C#

File.Create(pathName); // will leave the created File open

Since leaving the File open is often not desired:

C#

using (File.Create(pathName))
using (File.Create(pathName)) {}
File.Create(pathName).Close();
File.Create(pathName).Dispose();

2. To write content to a file, with the file automatically created if it does not exist:

See Maciej's answer here ... and ... study the various "Writers" available in the System.IO library: TextWriter, XmlWriter, as well as StreamWriter.

C#

File.WriteAllText(pathName, String.Empty);
File.CreateText(pathName).Close();

Since you may want to do something differently if a File already exists, this is a typical code pattern:

C#

if (File.Exists(pathName))
{
   // whatever if file exists
   // for example 
   // File.AppendAllText(pathName, "text to append");
}
else
{
   // whatver if file does not exist
   // for example 
   // File.WriteAllText(pathName, "initial text");
}

Posted 31-Oct-15 19:20pm

BillWoodruff

Comments

R.M49 1-Nov-15 2:29am

but my question is different from what you all said, I know how to create a textfille and how to write inside it, I want only to know how to choose the name of this file as the input username from the user, why it gives me error in username variable

R.M49 1-Nov-15 2:32am

Actually I found the solution now, thank you for your effort

BillWoodruff 1-Nov-15 10:13am

Glad you found a solution !

Maciej Los 1-Nov-15 12:05pm

OK. Is there any answer which was helpful? If yes, mark it as a solution.

Maciej Los 2-Nov-15 12:37pm

+5

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Maciej Los · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-31T12:23:00

Solution 2

Please, read all comments to the question.
Why do i recommend to change @"E:\\" to @"E:\"? Please, see: 2.4.4.5 String literals[^]

Have a look here:
How to: Write to a Text File (C# Programming Guide)[^]
How to: Write Text to a File[^]

C#

Console.Write("Enter username: ");
string Username = Console.ReadLine();
//here you should check if UserName is not null or empty!
string fileName = Username+ ".txt";
string path = System.IO.Path.Combine(@"E:\", fileName);
using (StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter(path))
{
        sw.WriteLine(Username);
}

Posted 31-Oct-15 12:23pm

Maciej Los

Updated 31-Oct-15 13:07pm

v3

Comments

BillWoodruff 31-Oct-15 18:45pm

Interesting, it appears the user is asking how to create a file with a user-defined name, rather than write a line of text to the file. My guess is you know something about this user from another question, and realize what he really wants :)

Maciej Los 31-Oct-15 18:49pm

Bill, take a look at OP's code: fileName = UserName + ".txt";
So, it takes the name entered via user.

BillWoodruff 1-Nov-15 0:46am

I have no problem that you went "above and beyond" what the OP asked for :) My concern is that the OP may not be clear about the basics of using Files, and you can create a File directly without using a xxxWriter. I'll post what I hope will add to the OP's knowledge.

Maciej Los 1-Nov-15 12:01pm

Ohhh... OK

BillWoodruff 2-Nov-15 12:09pm

+5

Maciej Los 2-Nov-15 12:35pm

Thank you, Bill.