C# getting the path of %AppData%

Question

C# 2008 SP1

I am using the code below:

dt.ReadXml(\"%AppData%\\\\DateLinks.xml\");

However, I am getting an exception that points t

Answer 1

The BEST way to use the AppData directory, IS to use Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariable method.

Reasons:

• it replaces parts of your string with valid directories or whatever
• it is case-insensitive
• it is easy and uncomplicated
• it is a standard
• good for dealing with user input

Examples:

string path;
path = @"%AppData%\stuff";
path = @"%aPpdAtA%\HelloWorld";
path = @"%progRAMfiLES%\Adobe;%appdata%\FileZilla"; // collection of paths

path = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(path);
Console.WriteLine(path);

More info:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%   C:\ProgramData
%APPDATA%   C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming
%COMMONPROGRAMFILES%    C:\Program Files\Common Files
%COMMONPROGRAMFILES(x86)%   C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
%COMSPEC%   C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
%HOMEDRIVE% C:
%HOMEPATH%  C:\Users\Username
%LOCALAPPDATA%  C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local
%PROGRAMDATA%   C:\ProgramData
%PROGRAMFILES%  C:\Program Files
%PROGRAMFILES(X86)% C:\Program Files (x86) (only in 64-bit version)
%PUBLIC%    C:\Users\Public
%SystemDrive%   C:
%SystemRoot%    C:\Windows
%TEMP% and %TMP%    C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp
%USERPROFILE%   C:\Users\Username
%WINDIR%    C:\Windows