BinaryReader in C#

This program explains about how to read binary files using BinaryWriter in C# programming.

The main advantage of Binary information is that it is not easily human readable and stores files as Binary format is the best practice of space utilization.

Tools needed: Button1 (Button1).

BinaryReader Class

BinaryReader reads primitive data types as binary values in a specific encoding.

Syntax

// Declaration
[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]
public class BinaryReader : IDisposable {
}

// Declaration

[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]

public class BinaryReader : IDisposable {

}

BinaryReader Constructor (Stream) – BinaryReader in C#

It helps to initialize a new instance of the BinaryReader class based on the specified stream and using UTF-8 encoding.

Syntax

// Declaration
public DummyClass(Stream input) {
}

// Declaration
    public DummyClass(Stream input) {
    }

// Declaration

public DummyClass(Stream input) {

}

BinaryReader.ReadString Method – BinaryReader in C#

It reads a string from the current stream. The string is prefixed with the length, encoded as an integer seven bits at a time.

Syntax

// Declaration
    public virtual void ReadString(void As, void String) {
    }

// Declaration

public virtual void ReadString(void As, void String) {

}

BinaryReader.Close Method – BinaryReader in C#

It helps to close the current reader and the underlying stream.

Syntax

// Declaration
    public virtual void Close() {
    }

// Declaration

public virtual void Close() {

}

FileStream Class – BinaryReader in C#

FileStream class exposes a Stream around a file, supporting both synchronous and asynchronous read and write operations.

Syntax

// Declaration
[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]
public class FileStream : Stream {
}

// Declaration

[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]

public class FileStream : Stream {

}

FileStream Constructor (String, FileMode) – BinaryReader in C#

It helps to initialize a new instance of the FileStream class with the specified path and creation mode.

Syntax

// Declaration
    public DummyClass(string path, FileMode mode) {
    }

// Declaration

public DummyClass(string path, FileMode mode) {

}

String – A path for the file that the current FileStream object will encapsulate.

FileMode – A constant that determines how to open or create the file.

BinaryReader in C# – Complete Code

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;

namespace WindowsFormsApplication1
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {

        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {

        }

        private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            FileStream readStream;
            string msg;
            try
            {
                readStream = new FileStream("c:\\testBinary.dat", FileMode.Open);
                BinaryReader readBinary = new BinaryReader(readStream);
                msg = readBinary.ReadString();
                richTextBox1.Text = msg;
                readStream.Close();
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                MessageBox.Show(ex.ToString());
            }
        }

    }
}