Open associated files with C# program
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Almost all of the basic functions of the program(browser, text editor, image editor, media player) that you can associate files with it and open it. I want a simple and effective method to show the arguments (associated files) to open. How to associate files with C# program?
Introduction
Almost all of the basic functions of the program(browser, text editor, image editor, media player) that you can associate files with it and open it. I want a simple and effective method to show the arguments (associated files) to open. How to associate files with C# program? I present the step by step procedure below.
1. Step-Create the general form
Create a new Windows Forms application in Visual Studio. Add menustrip(optional), toolstrip(optional), statusstrip(optional), and richtextbox controls to general form.
It should look like:
2. Step-Write the code
Illustrating the operation of the program:
The Program.cs is as follows
[STAThread]
static void Main(string[] args)
{
}
To be transformed into the main library to be able to recive arguments.
This part of the program will determine whether there is an argument: If the argument is not equal to zero and greater than zero, then there is an argument. generating a string variable that contains the argument. if a user opens a file in the program, it will be stored in the variable the path. then verify that the file exists. If no argument is specified, the program "normally" runs.
/// <summary>
/// The main entry point for the application.
/// </summary>
[STAThread]
static void Main(string[] args)
{
//with args(user open file with the program)
if (args != null && args.Length > 0)
{
string fileName = args[0];
//Check file exists
if(File.Exists(fileName))
{
}
}
//without args
else
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Application.Run(new Form1());
}
}
Return to the Form1.cs file, make a public method that will open the associated file.
public void OpenFile(string filePath)
{
openStatus.Text = "Open file: " + filePath;
Thread.Sleep(1000);
string file = File.ReadAllText(filePath);
richTextBox1.Text = file;
openStatus.Text = "Ready";
}
Now let us return to the Program.cs source file again. Create a new Form1, but it'll show you invite before the Open method, which read and displays the argument in the richtextbox.
The program has only one error: If the associated file does not exist does nothing. should be presented to the user with a message box that informs.
The Program.cs is as follows:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;
namespace Associate
{
static class Program
{
/// <summary>
/// The main entry point for the application.
/// </summary>
[STAThread]
static void Main(string[] args)
{
//with args(user open file with the program)
if (args != null && args.Length > 0)
{
string fileName = args[0];
//Check file exists
if(File.Exists(fileName))
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Form1 MainFrom = new Form1();
MainFrom.OpenFile(fileName);
Application.Run(MainFrom);
}
//The file does not exist
else
{
MessageBox.Show("The file does not exist!", "Error!", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Application.Run(new Form1());
}
}
//without args
else
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Application.Run(new Form1());
}
}
}
}
Argument transfer splash screen via
Illustrating the operation of the program
Create splash screen form(download Office 2013 style splash screen: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/804316/Office-Style-Splash-Screen) or use another one.
The splash screen source code, we create a public string variable, which will contain the path to the opened file.
//file path
public string path = null;
Program.cs change the value of the variable in the argument.
//Check file exists
if (File.Exists(fileName))
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Splash splash = new Splash();
splash.path = fileName;
Application.Run(splash);
}
If the variable is not null, then invite the Open method.
The splash screen with full source code:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Threading;
using Associate;
namespace Associate_with_splash_screen
{
public partial class Splash : Form
{
//file path
public string path = null;
public Splash()
{
InitializeComponent();
//Tasks
//Starting
tasks.Text = "Starting...";
Thread.Sleep(1000);
//start timer
splashtime.Start();
}
public bool Isminimized = false;
//Close Application
private void close_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Application.Exit();
}
//Minimize Application
private void minimize_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
this.WindowState = FormWindowState.Minimized;
Isminimized = true;
}
//Mouse hover and leave effects
private void close_MouseHover(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
close.ForeColor = Color.Silver;
}
private void close_MouseLeave(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
close.ForeColor = Color.White;
}
private void minimize_MouseHover(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
minimize.ForeColor = Color.Silver;
}
private void minimize_MouseLeave(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
minimize.ForeColor = Color.White;
}
//Show MainForm(Form1)
public void frmNewFormThread()
{
var frmNewForm = new Form1();
if (Isminimized == true)
{
frmNewForm.WindowState = FormWindowState.Minimized;
}
else
{
frmNewForm.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized;
}
if(path != null)
{
frmNewForm.OpenFile(path);
}
Application.Run(frmNewForm);
}
private void splashtime_Tick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
splashtime.Stop();
var newThread = new System.Threading.Thread(frmNewFormThread);
newThread.SetApartmentState(System.Threading.ApartmentState.STA);
newThread.Start();
this.Close();
}
private void Splash_FormClosed(object sender, FormClosedEventArgs e)
{
}
private void Splash_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
}
private void Splash_MouseDown(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
}
}
}
3. Step-Checking the program:
Associate files, then open with program.
Give him an argument invalid file, let's look to react. Start cmd.exe, and start the example program with argument.
Example:
Command: start program.exe argument
Command: start iexplore.exe http://www.microsoft.com/
The latter command open the microsoft.com in the Internet Explorer browser(now the argument is the microsoft.com website).
Non-existent file is specified as an argument, so the program warns.