Read xml files from assembly

Question

I'm trying to read xml files from assembly, this is my code:

private Assembly testAssembly;
    private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        string testfile = "stack.xml";
        String testfileName = string.Format("{0}.{1}", testAssembly.GetName().Name, testfile);

        using (Stream stream = testAssembly.GetManifestResourceStream(testfileName))
        {
            using (StreamReader sr = new StreamReader(stream))
            {
                var value = sr.ReadToEnd();
                Console.WriteLine("The read file is {0}", value);
            }
        }
    }

I've got a problem on this line:

String testfileName = string.Format("{0}.{1}", testAssembly.GetName().Name, 
                                     testfile);

Null ref exception unhandled, it says null. Any help??? enter image description here

I have updated my question, testAssembly is not null, i can see the xml file name. My xml file is in the same project and it's embede. — linguini, Oct 17 '12 at 14:39
@linguini - I would argue that testAssembly is `null` based on the `NullReferenceException` within the screenshot you posted. — Security Hound, Oct 17 '12 at 14:49
show the screen in the exactly same situation, but with the mouse over `testAssembly` — Gianni B., Oct 17 '12 at 14:50

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 17 '12 at 14:38

2

Looks like marksAssembly is null

answered Oct 17 '12 at 14:38

TesterJeff

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@linguini - Make sure its not `null` – Security Hound Oct 17 '12 at 14:49
@Ramhound: How can i do this?? – linguini Oct 17 '12 at 14:52
when the exception is throw, put the mouse over `testAssembly` it shoudl show you a little tooltip in which you can read if `testAssebmly` is `null` or not – Gianni B. Oct 17 '12 at 14:56
Yes, it says testAssembly is null. What should i do exactly?? – linguini Oct 17 '12 at 14:59
@Quick Joe Smith: What should i assign, the filename or something?? – linguini Oct 17 '12 at 15:00
You have to load the assembly! Check one of this [methods](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.reflection.assembly.load.aspx) – Gianni B. Oct 17 '12 at 15:01
@ NaNNy: Could u please tell me what should i load and where?? – linguini Oct 17 '12 at 15:05
If the assembly that you want to load is in the reference of the project, you just need this in the click handler: `testAssembly = Assembly.Load("nameOfAssemblyWithoutTheExtension");`. If is not in the reference you can specify the path with `Assembly.LoadFile("PathOfYourAssembly")`. You can found an example [here](http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/34301/Assembly-LoadFile-versus-Assembly-LoadFrom-NET-obs) – Gianni B. Oct 17 '12 at 15:10
I got one project and I have loaded the xml file in the same project embeded it and there is no other assembly. – linguini Oct 17 '12 at 15:13
I really don't understand why you need to use `Assembly` when you have the xml loaded (and included) in your project... Check this two question: [one](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6416564/how-to-read-a-text-file-in-projects-root-directory) and [two](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8580526/get-file-path-for-file-included-in-project). – Gianni B. Oct 17 '12 at 15:19

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 28 '15 at 07:07

string resName = "resources/HistoryConnections.xml";  

private static UnmanagedMemoryStream GetResourceStream(string resName)
        {
            var assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
            var strResources = assembly.GetName().Name + ".g.resources";
            var rStream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(strResources);
            var resourceReader = new ResourceReader(rStream);
            var items = resourceReader.OfType<DictionaryEntry>();
            var stream = items.First(x => (x.Key as string) == resName.ToLower()).Value;
            return (UnmanagedMemoryStream)stream;
        }

Read xml files from assembly

2 Answers2