How to best detect encoding in XML file?

Question

To load XML files with arbitrary encoding I have the following code:

Encoding encoding;
using (var reader = new XmlTextReader(filepath))
{
    reader.MoveToC         


        

Answer 1

Another option, quite simple, is to use Linq to XML. The Load method automatically reads the encoding from the xml file. You can then get the encoder value by using the XDeclaration.Encoding property. An example from MSDN:

// Create the document
XDocument encodedDoc16 = new XDocument(
new XDeclaration("1.0", "utf-16", "yes"),
new XElement("Root", "Content")
);
encodedDoc16.Save("EncodedUtf16.xml");
Console.WriteLine("Encoding is:{0}", encodedDoc16.Declaration.Encoding);
Console.WriteLine();

// Read the document
XDocument newDoc16 = XDocument.Load("EncodedUtf16.xml");
Console.WriteLine("Encoded document:");
Console.WriteLine(File.ReadAllText("EncodedUtf16.xml"));
Console.WriteLine();
Console.WriteLine("Encoding of loaded document is:{0}", newDoc16.Declaration.Encoding);

While this may not server the original poster, as he would have to refactor a lot of code, it is useful for someone who has to write new code for their project, or if they think that refactoring is worth it.