Function to shrink file path to be more human readable

Question

Is there any function in c# to shink a file path ?

Input: \"c:\\users\\Windows\\Downloaded Program Files\\Folder\\Inside\\example\\file.txt\"

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Answer 1

I was just faced with this issue as long paths were becoming a complete eye sore. Here is what I tossed together real quick (mind the sloppiness) but it gets the job done.

private string ShortenPath(string path, int maxLength)
{
    int pathLength = path.Length;

    string[] parts;
    parts = label1.Text.Split('\\');

    int startIndex = (parts.Length - 1) / 2;
    int index = startIndex;

    string output = "";
    output = String.Join("\\", parts, 0, parts.Length);

    decimal step = 0;
    int lean = 1;

    do
    {
        parts[index] = "...";

        output = String.Join("\\", parts, 0, parts.Length);

        step = step + 0.5M;
        lean = lean * -1;

        index = startIndex + ((int)step * lean);
    }
    while (output.Length >= maxLength && index != -1);

    return output;
}

EDIT

Below is an update with Merlin2001's corrections.

private string ShortenPath(string path, int maxLength)
{
    int pathLength = path.Length;

    string[] parts;
    parts = path.Split('\\');

    int startIndex = (parts.Length - 1) / 2;
    int index = startIndex;

    String output = "";
    output = String.Join("\\", parts, 0, parts.Length);

    decimal step = 0;
    int lean = 1;

    while (output.Length >= maxLength && index != 0 && index != -1)
    {
        parts[index] = "...";

        output = String.Join("\\", parts, 0, parts.Length);

        step = step + 0.5M;
        lean = lean * -1;

        index = startIndex + ((int)step * lean);
    }
    // result can be longer than maxLength
    return output.Substring(0, Math.Min(maxLength, output.Length));  
}