C# - Easiest way to parse filename with spaces eg. “C:\Test\File with spaces.txt”

Question

I am trying to pass a full file path to FFMPEG.

C:\\TestFolder\\Input\\Friends - Season 6 - Gag Reel.avi

and it\'s obviously not liking th

Answer 1

I agree with the above post. To make it easier, here's the code you need to use. In My Humble Opinion, the only good file name is a space-free file name.

Therefor in c# code I have this:

[DllImport("kernel32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
static extern uint GetShortPathName(
   [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPTStr)]
    string lpszLongPath,
   [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPTStr)]
    StringBuilder lpszShortPath,
   uint cchBuffer);

public static StringBuilder shortNameBuffer = new StringBuilder(256);
public static string ToShortPathName(string longName)
{
  uint result = GetShortPathName(longName, shortNameBuffer, 256);
  return shortNameBuffer.ToString();
}

That adds a method to your class that can be used like this:

String goodFileName = ToShortPathName(evilFileName);

NOTE: I'm using this in a UI so I don't mind being non-thread safe and reusing the StringBuider. If you're in a multi-threaded environment, make sure to pull the StringBuilder allocation inside your method.