Create csv file and download it

[a1jit]

Hi Guys,

 

I was just wondering, how can i achieve this..

I want to create a csv file on server side and prompt user to download it using c# with asp.net

 

I have written some codes which create a dummy text file..and some download code..but the download code does not fetch the actual test.csv file which i created, instead it gives me the html code where the download dialogue box was prompted

 

StreamWriter streamWriter = new StreamWriter("C:\\Mail\\test.txt");

streamWriter.WriteLine("Date : ");

streamWriter.WriteLine("From : " );

streamWriter.WriteLine("To : ");

streamWriter.WriteLine("Subject : ");

streamWriter.Close( );

 

Response.ContentType = "text/plain";

Response.AddHeader( "Content-Disposition", "attachment; Filename = C:\\Mail\\test.txt");

 

How can i solve this?

[PlausiblyDamp]

Rather than writing to a file and then attempting to send the file to the client you could just write direct to Response.OutputStream, just continue to set the content type correctly and it should work fine.

[a1jit]

Hi, could you explain again..I dont get you..

Which part of my code shall i change?

[mike55]

To download a file, you simple call the following method passing in the file path and file name of the file you want to download.

Private Sub downloadFile(ByVal filePath As String, ByVal FileName As String)
       Dim fs As FileStream
       Dim strContentType As String

       'Read the file into a file stream
       fs = File.Open(filePath, FileMode.Open) 'Open the file.
       Dim byBytes(Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length)) As Byte
       fs.Read(byBytes, 0, Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length))
       fs.Close()

       'Delete file.
       File.Delete(filePath)

       'Offer use the chance to either save, open or cancel.
       Response.AddHeader("Content-disposition", "attachment; fileName=" + FileName)
       Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream"
       Response.BinaryWrite(byBytes)
       Response.End()
   End Sub

 

After using this code to do the download for a .CSV file - so it does work.

Mike55

[a1jit]

Hi ..thankx a lot for the help..

 

I would appreaciate if you can help me converting it to c#

 

I have done this..but results in some error..

 

FileStream fs = new FileStream();
	    string strContentType;

		StreamWriter streamWriter = new StreamWriter("C:\\Mail\\test.txt");
		streamWriter.WriteLine("Date	: ");
		streamWriter.WriteLine("From	: " );
		streamWriter.WriteLine("To		: ");
		streamWriter.WriteLine("Subject	: ");
		streamWriter.Close( );

		fs = File.Open("C:\\Mail\\test.txt", FileMode.Open);
		Byte byBytes(Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length));
		fs.Read(byBytes, 0, Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length));
		fs.Close();

		
		File.Delete("C:\\Mail\\test.txt");

		
		Response.AddHeader( "Content-Disposition", "attachment; Filename = test.txt");
		Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
		Response.BinaryWrite(byBytes);
		Response.End();

[mike55]

Have you imported System.IO and System.NET?

 

In relation to converting VB.NET to C# or C# to VB.NET, I use the following site: http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/utilities/convertvbtocsharp.aspx

Just paste your code into the textfield provided, click the convert button, and hey presto you have the code in the required language.

 

Mike55

[a1jit]

Mike,

 

U are just great..its working perfectly now..and the link you provided is excellent..

reallyyyy good..

thank you very very much

 

But i have a question..

 

Currently im creating the file first on server, then after that, i give the user to download it..

 

How can i straight away let user to download it while the file is being created?

Edited September 13, 2005 by a1jit

[mark007]

That's what PlausiblyDamp was saying - write the file directly to the output stream accessed via Response.OutputStream.

 

:)

[a1jit]

So, where shall i place the Responce.OutputStream statement?

Thanks..really sorry..im a bit new to this

 

And another question, im using the code you provided to download the file

 

			FileStream fs;
		fs = File.Open("C:\\Inetpub\\wwwroot\\Web Directory\\test.txt", FileMode.Open); 
		byte[] byBytes = new byte[Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length)]; 
		fs.Read(byBytes, 0, Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length)); 
		fs.Close(); 

		File.Delete("C:\\Inetpub\\wwwroot\\Web Directory\\test.txt"); 
	
		Response.AddHeader("Content-disposition", "attachment; fileName=" + "test.txt"); 
		Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream"; 
		Response.BinaryWrite(byBytes); 
		Response.End(); 

 

If you observer, the file is a txt file..works fine

 

But if i change the extension to a .zip file, i get the following error..

How can i solve this. I have given full access to everyone in the security tab

in the folder, but i still keep getting this error

 

Exception Details: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path "C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\Web Directory\test.zip" is denied.

 

To grant ASP.NET write access to a file, right-click the file in Explorer, choose "Properties" and select the Security tab. Click "Add" to add the appropriate user or group. Highlight the ASP.NET account, and check the boxes for the desired access.

 

Line 32: 			FileStream fs;
Line 33: 			fs = File.Open("C:\\Inetpub\\wwwroot\\Web Directory\\test.zip", FileMode.Open); 
Line 34: 			byte[] byBytes = new byte[Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length)]; 
Line 35: 			fs.Read(byBytes, 0, Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length)); 

 

Line 33 is throwing out the error..How shall i deal with this?

Edited September 14, 2005 by a1jit

[PlausiblyDamp]

StreamWriter streamWriter = new StreamWriter(Response.OutputStream);
streamWriter.WriteLine("Date	: ");
streamWriter.WriteLine("From	: " );
streamWriter.WriteLine("To		: ");
streamWriter.WriteLine("Subject	: ");
streamWriter.Close( );
		
Response.AddHeader( "Content-Disposition", "attachment; Filename = test.txt");
Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
Response.End();

[a1jit]

I see..Thank You very much Plausibly..really appreciate it..thxss..