How can I determine the stream position of an element in an XML file?

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Hey friends,

I want to read through large XML files. To do so, I use a FileStream object and a XmlReader object. I want to know the FileStream's position for every element read by the XmlReader :

C#

using (FileStream strmFile = new FileStream(Some XML File))
{
  using (XmlReader xmlReader = XmlReader.Create(strmFile, settings))
  {
    while (xmlReader.Read())
    {
      switch (xmlReader.NodeType)
      {
        case XmlNodeType.Element:
          // Get the FileStream position here
          break;
      }
    }
  }
}

Because the XmlReader advances through the file using a 8K buffer, the FileStream's Position property returns 8K over and over again until the stream advances to the next 8K.

Is there a way to retrieve the absolute stream position?

Posted 18-Mar-11 4:18am

Eduard Keilholz

Updated 18-Mar-11 4:27am

Abdul Quader Mamun

v2

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Abdul Quader Mamun 18-Mar-11 10:27am

Edited spelling.

1 solution

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Albin Abel · Answer 1 · 2011-03-18T04:35:00

// Get the FileStream position here . The File stream position would be 100%

XmlReader xmlReader = XmlReader.Create(strmFile, settings) will take the entire file stream to its memory.

As proof close the file stream here.

C#

using (XmlReader xmlReader = XmlReader.Create(strmFile, settings))
  {
    strmFile.close();

Your reader can still proceed.

Improved Answer
------------------------
To get Line Number and Line Position

C#

IXmlLineInfo LineInfo;
using (FileStream strmFile = new FileStream("some file name"))
{
     using (XmlReader xmlReader = XmlReader.Create(strmFile))
  {
      LineInfo = (IXmlLineInfo)xmlReader;
    while (xmlReader.Read())
    {
      switch (xmlReader.NodeType)
      {
        case XmlNodeType.Element:
             // Get the FileStream position here
              MessageBox.Show(LineInfo.LineNumber.ToString());
              MessageBox.Show(LineInfo.LinePosition.ToString());
          break;
      }
    }
  }
}