Determine File Path String

Question

How can I protect a file path string that is determined at runtime and retrieved from a function only once, so that it cannot be modified later? I cannot use the const keyword since its value is determined at runtime, and the readonly keyword is not working. Is there any other way to achieve this protection without creating another class?

Amit Mohanty · Answer

In C#, you can use the readonly keyword to protect a value from being modified once it is assigned, but it can only be used with either a constant value or a value that is assigned within the constructor of the class. In your case, if the file path string is determined at runtime and retrieved from a function only once, you can use a private setter to assign the value within a property, and then make the property read-only using the private set access modifier. This way, the value can only be set once and cannot be modified later. Here is an example implementation: public class FileHandler { private string _filePath; public string FilePath { get; private set; } public FileHandler() { _filePath = RetrievePath(); FilePath = _filePath; } private string RetrievePath() { // Logic to retrieve file path goes here return "C:/example/file.txt"; } } In this example, the FilePath property has a private setter, which means that it can only be set within the FileHandler class. The constructor retrieves the file path string from the RetrievePath method and assigns it to both the private _filePath field and the read-only FilePath property.

Naimish Makwana · Answer

In C#, you can use the readonly keyword to make a variable read-only, but it can only be set in the constructor. Since you mentioned that the value of your file path string is determined at runtime and retrieved from a function only once, you can use a constructor to set the value of the read-only variable. Here's an example: public class MyClass { public readonly string FilePath; public MyClass() { FilePath = RetrieveFilePath(); // set the value of FilePath in the constructor // once set, the value cannot be modified } private string RetrieveFilePath() { // retrieve the file path string from a function return "path/to/file.txt"; } } In this example, the FilePath variable is declared as readonly , which means it can only be set in the constructor. The constructor calls the RetrieveFilePath() method to retrieve the file path string and sets the value of FilePath . Once set, the value of FilePath cannot be modified. Note that this approach only works if the value of the file path string is determined at runtime and retrieved from a function only once, as you mentioned in your question. If the value needs to be updated or changed during runtime, then this approach may not be suitable. Thanks

Determine File Path String

Answers (2)