How to Generate unique file names in C#

Question

I have implemented an algorithm that will generate unique names for files that will save on hard drive. I\'m appending DateTime: Hours,Minutes,Second an

Answer 1

I have been using the following code and its working fine. I hope this might help you.

I begin with a unique file name using a timestamp -

"context_" + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmssffff")

C# code -

public static string CreateUniqueFile(string logFilePath, string logFileName, string fileExt)
    {
        try
        {
            int fileNumber = 1;

            //prefix with . if not already provided
            fileExt = (!fileExt.StartsWith(".")) ? "." + fileExt : fileExt;

            //Generate new name
            while (File.Exists(Path.Combine(logFilePath, logFileName + "-" + fileNumber.ToString() + fileExt)))
                fileNumber++;

            //Create empty file, retry until one is created
            while (!CreateNewLogfile(logFilePath, logFileName + "-" + fileNumber.ToString() + fileExt))
                fileNumber++;

            return logFileName + "-" + fileNumber.ToString() + fileExt;
        }
        catch (Exception)
        {
            throw;
        }
    }

    private static bool CreateNewLogfile(string logFilePath, string logFile)
    {
        try
        {
            FileStream fs = new FileStream(Path.Combine(logFilePath, logFile), FileMode.CreateNew);
            fs.Close();
            return true;
        }
        catch (IOException)   //File exists, can not create new
        {
            return false;
        }
        catch (Exception)     //Exception occured
        {
            throw;
        }
    }