c# open file, path starting with %userprofile%

Question

I have a simple problem. I have a path to a file in user directory that looks like this:

%USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\Local\\MyProg\\settings.file

Answer 1

You can use the Environment.Username constant as well. Both of the %USERPROFILE% and this Environment variable points the same( which is the currently logged user). But if you choose this way, you have to concatenate the path by yourself.

Answer 2

Try using ExpandEnvironmentVariables on the path.

Answer 3

I use this in my Utilities library.

using System;
namespace Utilities
{
    public static class MyProfile
   {
        public static string Path(string target)
        {
            string basePath = 
Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile) + 
@"\Automation\";
            return basePath + target;
        }
    }
}

So I can simply use e.g. "string testBenchPath = MyProfile.Path("TestResults");"

Answer 4

Use Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables on the path before using it.

var pathWithEnv = @"%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\MyProg\settings.file";
var filePath = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(pathWithEnv);

using(ostream = new FileStream(filePath, FileMode.Open))
{
   //...
}

Answer 5

Use the Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables static method:

string fileName= Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(fileName);
ostream = new FileStream(fileName, FileMode.Open);