How can I extract a file from an embedded resource and save it to disk?

Question

I'm trying to compile the code below using CSharpCodeProvider. The file is successfully compiled, but when I click on the generated EXE file, I get an error (Windows is searching for a solution to this problem) and nothing happens.

When I compile the code below using CSharpCodeProvider, I've added the MySql.Data.dll as an embedded resource file using this line of code:

if (provider.Supports(GeneratorSupport.Resources))     cp.EmbeddedResources.Add("MySql.Data.dll"); 

The file is successfully embedded (because I noticed the file size increased).

In the code below, I try to extract the embedded DLL file and save it to System32, but the code below doesn't work for some reason.

namespace ConsoleApplication1 {     class Program     {         public static void ExtractSaveResource(String filename, String location)         {             //Assembly assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();             Assembly a = .Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();             //Stream stream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Installer.Properties.mydll.dll"); // or whatever             //string my_namespace = a.GetName().Name.ToString();             Stream resFilestream = a.GetManifestResourceStream(filename);             if (resFilestream != null)             {                 BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(resFilestream);                 FileStream fs = new FileStream(location, FileMode.Create); // Say                 BinaryWriter bw = new BinaryWriter(fs);                 byte[] ba = new byte[resFilestream.Length];                 resFilestream.Read(ba, 0, ba.Length);                 bw.Write(ba);                 br.Close();                 bw.Close();                 resFilestream.Close();             }             // this.Close();         }          static void Main(string[] args)         {             try             {                 string systemDir = Environment.SystemDirectory;                 ExtractSaveResource("MySql.Data.dll", systemDir);             }             catch (Exception ex)             {                 Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);                 Console.ReadKey();             }         }     } } 

How can I extract the DLL file that is embedded as a resource and save it to System32?

Answer 1

I'd suggest doing it easier. I assume that the resource exists and the file is writable (this might be an issue if we're speaking about system directories).

public void WriteResourceToFile(string resourceName, string fileName) {     using(var resource = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetManifestResourceStream(resourceName))     {         using(var file = new FileStream(fileName, FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write))         {             resource.CopyTo(file);         }      } } 

Answer 2

I have found that the easiest way to do this is to use Properties.Resources and File. Here is the code I use (requires using System.IO)...

For Binary files: File.WriteAllBytes(fileName, Properties.Resources.file);

For Text files: File.WriteAllText(fileName, Properties.Resources.file);