file copy issue in c#

Question

I'm using System.IO.File.Copy(recovery set true); to copy recovery.txt over set.txt The problem is i think the file is still in use when I attempt to further alter it. (the compiler throws an exception) I've had a similar issue when using StreamWriter however that was fixed by using writerObj.Close(). Is there anything similar for system.io? This is probably an easy fix however i couldn't find a fix on msdn. Using google i must not be phrasing the question right as the only results include StreamWriter/StreamReader EDIT: I think i've managed to pinpoint the issue. After i copy the backup of set.txt i load the new values from the file and that seems to keep the file opened. The way i load values off the file is: use StreamReader to go through the file line by line and save numeric values in an array. Then i assign each member of the array to a functional parameter. My best guess is that somehow the functional parameters are still linked to the text file. Any suggestions?

Stefan Cazacu · Answer

Thank you for the answers. I am using StreamReader and StreamWriter with the using statement however it proved necessary to add the Close() statement as the project would through a runtime error upon trying to move or delete the file. This issue has been solved by adding the Close() after having finished writing. The problem is i'm replacing set.txt with a backup and that seems (to me) to leave the file open because i get another error when trying to manipulate it further. I'm rather new at C# ant .NET but opening task manager and killing the process sounds like a separate step using the windows task manager rather than fixing/preventing the problem.

Prashant Srivastava · Answer

Hi Stefan You are facing the problem because the instance of the file is not killed. So the solution for this is KillProcess once your are done with your activity. HOW to Check : 1. Open task manager. 2. Go to Process. 3. You will see multiple instances for that. Solutions Steps : 1. Open file (via code). 2. Read the data Hold that in any object. 3. Close the file. 4. Kill Process of that file. 5. use that same object to copy to place where ever you want. NOTE : Above step need to below implemented in code in order to avoid logging of multiple instance of particular user for a file (.docx .xls .txt) so as to avoid server problem hanging problem. Regards Prashant Srivastava

Vulpes · Answer

If you're opening set.txt within the current program I'd make sure you're closing it afterwards. As you know both StreamReader and StreamWriter have Close() methods though if you use them with the 'using statement' calling Close() is unnecessary. Otherwise the chances are that the file has been opened with a different process such as Notepad but not yet closed.