Prompt for file on application launch - c#

I am making an application that can potentially be used on multiple computers by the same user. I currently have implemented backup and restore functionality to keep the SQLite database synchronized. However, when I install a new copy of the application, I would like to prompt the user to select a backup file (if applicable).
Initially, I thought that I would just put the logic in MainPageViewModel.xaml in the OnNavigatedTo method. The problem with that is that it would run through that logic every time navigating back to MainView. So, I thought that it would make sense to put it in OnApplicationLaunchAsync to only run once when the application is launched.
Here is my code currently:
private async Task<StorageFile> SelectFileAsync()
{
StorageFile pickedFile = null;
var settings = Container.Resolve<ISettings>();
var picker = new FileOpenPicker();
picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".sqlite");
picker.SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.DocumentsLibrary;
var file = await picker.PickSingleFileAsync();
if (file != null)
{
var pickedFileToken = StorageApplicationPermissions.FutureAccessList.Add(file);
settings.BackupFileToken = pickedFileToken;
pickedFile = file;
}
return pickedFile;
}
protected async override Task OnLaunchApplicationAsync(LaunchActivatedEventArgs args)
{
var navigationService = Container.Resolve<INavigationService>();
var dialogService = Container.Resolve<IDialogService>();
var settings = Container.Resolve<ISettings>();
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(settings.BackupFileToken))
{
var backupFile =
await StorageApplicationPermissions.FutureAccessList.GetFileAsync(settings.BackupFileToken);
var properties = await backupFile.GetBasicPropertiesAsync();
dialogService.Show(string.Format("Backup file found: {0}\r\n" +
"Modified date: {1}", backupFile.Path, properties.DateModified), "");
navigationService.Navigate(Experiences.Main);
}
else
{
navigationService.Navigate(Experiences.Blank);
//dialogService.Show("No backup file specified. Please choose a backup file location.", "");
// TODO: load blank page, then select backup file location, then navigate to main page
await SelectFileAsync();
}
// do not need to return Task.FromResult when OnLaunchApplicationAsync() is async
//return Task.FromResult<object>(null);
}
As you can see, if the BackupFileToken exists, it will check the properties of the file and display a dialog with the file path and last modified date. My problem lies in the situation where it is a new installation/the backup token doesn't exist.
If I try to display a dialog before the FileOpenPicker then the application crashes. I thought perhaps adding a blank view to navigate to, then display the dialog and FileOpenPicker. It just seems like there should be a simpler way to accomplish this (without the need for extra views).
Can someone recommend a way to prompt the user to select a file when the application launches, but let them know the purpose of the FileOpenPicker?
I am aware that my await SelectFileAsync() is losing its return value, this is a temporary situation for testing purposes. I will be sure to assign the return value to the relevant variable once I have found a solution.

Maybe you can use the override
protected override void OnWindowCreated(WindowCreatedEventArgs args) in App.xaml.cs
which is also called once for the creation of the main window.

Related

System.IO.FileNotFound when passing file path value to OpenXML GetCellValue()

When I pass the value from the OpenFilePicker() method back to the button click method, I can utilize a debug string and ensure that the value is not null.
However, when I pass it to the GetCellValue() method, a 'FileNotFound' exception is thrown. Utilizing a debug statement here also shows that the value is not null and returns a valid file path of "C:\Test.xlsx".
Tried changing file permissions to RWX for all, attempted different folder locations. All permissions and folders seem to have the same issue.
public async void FileSelectButton_ClickAsync(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
string filePath = await openFilePicker();
//Debug.WriteLine("result:: " + filePath);
GetCellValue(filePath, "Sheet1", "A1");
}
public async Task<string> openFilePicker()
{
var archerReportPicker = new
Windows.Storage.Pickers.FileOpenPicker();
archerReportPicker.ViewMode =
Windows.Storage.Pickers.PickerViewMode.Thumbnail;
archerReportPicker.SuggestedStartLocation =
Windows.Storage.Pickers.PickerLocationId.Downloads;
archerReportPicker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xlsx");
archerReportPicker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xls"); // Default extensions
Windows.Storage.StorageFile archerReport = await archerReportPicker.PickSingleFileAsync(); //Get file
if (archerReport != null)
{
// Application now has read/write access to the picked file
this.fileTextBox.Text = archerReport.Name; // Load it up and throw the data in the textbox.
var filePath = archerReport.Path;
return filePath;
}
else
{
this.fileTextBox.Text = "";
return null;
}
}
public static string GetCellValue(string fileName, string sheetName, string addressName)
{
string value = null;
// Open the spreadsheet document for read-only access.
using (SpreadsheetDocument document = SpreadsheetDocument.Open(fileName, false)) //Line where exception is thrown
{...}
Throws System.IO.FileNotFound Exception as opposed to opening valid file path.
The issue also occurs when filePath or fileName is defined using const string '#c:\test.xlsx'
The short answer to this question is here:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/wsdevsol/2012/12/04/skip-the-path-stick-to-the-storagefile/
The gist of it is that in UWP, Storage Pickers return a non-filesystem bound Windows.Storage object. You can glean the filesystem path from the object, but because you are performing an operation on a secondary object, the fact that the user gave permissions for the first object does not apply to the second, resulting in an Access Denied condition when attempting to open the file - even if NTFS permissions allow 'Everyone' access.
This can be confirmed by monitoring the application using Process Monitor from SystemInternals.
If I discover a work-around to this issue, I will update this answer, but I will likely move away from UWP back towards a Windows Forms Application to avoid this issue entirely.

automatically save the picture without confrimation using CameraCaptureUI in UWP apps

I just developed sample UWP app to capture images from web cam. this is working smoothly
this is the code I have used
public class CameraCaptureService : ICaptureService
{
public async Task<StorageFile> CapturePhotoAsync()
{
var dialog = new CameraCaptureUI();
dialog.PhotoSettings.MaxResolution = CameraCaptureUIMaxPhotoResolution.HighestAvailable;
dialog.PhotoSettings.Format = CameraCaptureUIPhotoFormat.JpegXR;
dialog.PhotoSettings.AllowCropping = true;
var file = await dialog.CaptureFileAsync(CameraCaptureUIMode.Photo);
...
return (file == null) ? null : file;
}
}
but once after I click Image Capture button
this is awaiting until I confirm If I want to proceed this picture or discard the process and restart (with right sign and incorrect sign)
I'm trying to skip that stage and directly save this to local storage
Is this possible to do, using CameraCaptureUI class PhotoSettings ?
NB : dialog.CaptureFileAsync(CameraCaptureUIMode.Photo); is async method

Directory.GetDirectories return empty string inside an async Task operation

I have a UWP application which perform to capture and process images from a camera. This project leverage Microsoft Cognitive Services Face Recognition API and I'm exploring the application's existing functionality for awhile now. My goal is that when the image of a person is identified by the camera (through Face Recognition API service), I want to show the associated image of that person.
With that, the images are captured and stored in a local directory of my machine. I want to retrieve the image file and render it on the screen once the person is identified.
The code below shows the async Task method ProcessCameraCapture
private async Task ProcessCameraCapture(ImageAnalyzer e)
{
if (e == null)
{
this.UpdateUIForNoFacesDetected();
this.isProcessingPhoto = false;
return;
}
DateTime start = DateTime.Now;
await e.DetectFacesAsync();
if (e.DetectedFaces.Any())
{
string names;
await e.IdentifyFacesAsync();
this.greetingTextBlock.Text = this.GetGreettingFromFaces(e, out names);
if (e.IdentifiedPersons.Any())
{
this.greetingTextBlock.Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Windows.UI.Colors.GreenYellow);
this.greetingSymbol.Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Windows.UI.Colors.GreenYellow);
this.greetingSymbol.Symbol = Symbol.Comment;
GetSavedFilePhoto(names);
}
else
{
this.greetingTextBlock.Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Windows.UI.Colors.Yellow);
this.greetingSymbol.Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Windows.UI.Colors.Yellow);
this.greetingSymbol.Symbol = Symbol.View;
}
}
else
{
this.UpdateUIForNoFacesDetected();
}
TimeSpan latency = DateTime.Now - start;
this.faceLantencyDebugText.Text = string.Format("Face API latency: {0}ms", (int)latency.TotalMilliseconds);
this.isProcessingPhoto = false;
}
In GetSavedFilePhoto, I passed the string names argument once the person is identified.
Code below for the GetSavedFilePhoto method
private void GetSavedFilePhoto(string personName)
{
if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(personName)) return;
var directoryPath = #"D:\PersonImages";
var directories = Directory.GetDirectories(directoryPath);
var filePaths = Directory.GetFiles(directoryPath, "*.jpg", SearchOption.AllDirectories);
}
However, in GetSavedFilePhoto method the variable directories returned an empty string of array when using directoryPath string variable. Directory "D:\PersonImages" is a valid and existing folder in my machine and, it contains subfolders with images inside. I also tried Directory.GetFiles to retrieve the jpg images but still returned an empty string.
I think it should work because I have used Directory class several times but not inside an asyncTask method. Does using async caused the files not returned when using I/O operation?
Sorry for this stupid question, but I really don't understand.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Using Directory.GetFiles or Directory.GetDirectories method can get the folder/file in the local folder of the Application by the following code. But it could not open D:\.
var directories = Directory.GetDirectories(ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder.Path);
In UWP app you can only access two locations at default (local folder and install folder), others need capabilities setting or file open picker.Details please reference file access permission.
If you need access to all files in D:\, the user must manually pick the D:\ drive using the FolderPicker, then you have permissions to access to files in this drive.
var picker = new Windows.Storage.Pickers.FileOpenPicker();
picker.ViewMode = Windows.Storage.Pickers.PickerViewMode.Thumbnail;
picker.SuggestedStartLocation =
Windows.Storage.Pickers.PickerLocationId.ComputerFolder;
picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".jpg");
picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".jpeg");
picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".png");
Windows.Storage.StorageFile file = await picker.PickSingleFileAsync();
if (file != null)
{
// Application now has read/write access to the picked file
}
else
{
//do some stuff
}

Windows 8 GetFileAsync method gives UnAuthorized error

The below code an attempt to try and get get an Mp3 file from the MusicLibrary
It gives me,
A first chance exception of type
'System.UnauthorizedAccessException'
occurred in AccessingPictures.exe
This is my code:
public async void getFile()
{
StorageFolder folder = KnownFolders.MusicLibrary;
try
{
sampleFile = await folder.GetFileAsync("Test1.mp3");
}
catch (FileNotFoundException e)
{
// If file doesn't exist, indicate users to use scenario 1
Debug.WriteLine(e);
}
}
private void btnRead_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
getFile();
}
Wouldn't we able to access the media files?
I am able to do this using the file picker.
But it does not work while i try to access it directly.
Am i missing anything here ?
To retrieve Pictures from Camera Roll
Void GetCameraPhotos()
{
using (var library = new MediaLibrary())
{
PictureAlbumCollection allAlbums = library.RootPictureAlbum.Albums;
PictureAlbum cameraRoll = allAlbums.Where(album => album.Name == "Camera Roll").FirstOrDefault();
var CameraRollPictures = cameraRoll.Pictures
}
}
You cannot access the files unless it is in response to a user request. i.e. the user must tap a button or something and that tap logic ends up calling your code that accesses the file. If you want to get at the file afterwards, you'll need to copy it in the app's data folder.
I finally figured the issue. It was because i hadn't enabled the capabilities in the Manifest file.
It works like a charm now.
Thanks everyone.

Writing to a file using FileSavePicker

I'm having a little difficulty figuring out what the cause of this error is. I've added FilePicker capabilities in the Manifest, and it's not like I'm trying to do anything crazy; just trying to save to a sub folder within the Documents folder...
Error: "An unhandled exception of type
'System.UnauthorizedAccessException' occurred in mscorlib.dll
Additional information: Access is denied. (Exception from HRESULT:
0x80070005 (E_ACCESSDENIED))"
I have confirmed that my User Account is Admin and that it has Full Control over folders and files. But I'm not sure what else I can try.
public void NewBTN_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
var mbox = new MessageDialog("Would you like to save changes before creating a new Note?", "Note+ Confirmation");
UICommand YesBTN = new UICommand("Yes", new UICommandInvokedHandler(OnYesBTN));
UICommand NoBTN = new UICommand("No", new UICommandInvokedHandler(OnNoBTN));
mbox.Commands.Add(YesBTN);
mbox.Commands.Add(NoBTN);
mbox.DefaultCommandIndex = 1;
mbox.ShowAsync().Start();
}
async void OnYesBTN(object command)
{
this.Dispatcher.Invoke(Windows.UI.Core.CoreDispatcherPriority.Normal, (s, a) =>
{
// User clicked yes. Show File picker.
HasPickedFile = true;
}, this, null);
if (HasPickedFile)
{
FileSavePicker savePicker = new FileSavePicker();
savePicker.SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.DocumentsLibrary;
// Dropdown of file types the user can save the file as
savePicker.FileTypeChoices.Add("Cascading Stylesheet", new List<string>() { ".css" });
savePicker.FileTypeChoices.Add("Hypertext Markup Language", new List<string>() { ".html" });
savePicker.FileTypeChoices.Add("Plain Text", new List<string>() { ".txt" });
// Default extension if the user does not select a choice explicitly from the dropdown
savePicker.DefaultFileExtension = ".txt";
// Default file name if the user does not type one in or select a file to replace
savePicker.SuggestedFileName = "New Note";
StorageFile savedItem = await savePicker.PickSaveFileAsync();
if (null != savedItem)
{
// Application now has read/write access to the saved file
StorageFolder sFolder = await StorageFolder.GetFolderFromPathAsync(savedItem.Path);
try
{
StorageFile sFile = await sFolder.GetFileAsync(savedItem.FileName);
IRandomAccessStream writeStream = await sFile.OpenAsync(FileAccessMode.ReadWrite);
IOutputStream oStream = writeStream.GetOutputStreamAt(0);
DataWriter dWriter = new DataWriter(oStream);
dWriter.WriteString(Note.Text);
await dWriter.StoreAsync();
oStream.FlushAsync().Start();
// Should've successfully written to the file that Windows FileSavePicker had created.
}
catch
{
var mbox = new MessageDialog("This file does not exist.", "Note+ Confirmation");
UICommand OkBTN = new UICommand("Ok", new UICommandInvokedHandler(OnOkBTN));
mbox.Commands.Add(OkBTN);
mbox.DefaultCommandIndex = 1;
mbox.ShowAsync().Start();
}
}
}
}
public void OnOkBTN(object command)
{
this.Dispatcher.Invoke(Windows.UI.Core.CoreDispatcherPriority.Normal, (s, a) =>
{
// Do something here.
}, this, null);
}
public void OnNoBTN(object command)
{
this.Dispatcher.Invoke(Windows.UI.Core.CoreDispatcherPriority.Normal, (s, a) =>
{
// Don't save changes. Just create a new blank Note.
Note.Text = String.Empty;
}, this, null);
}
How can I write to a file that was created by the FileSavePicker?
You don't need to call StorageFolder.GetFolderFromPathAsync(savedItem.Path) and sFolder.GetFileAsync(savedItem.FileName). You must remove these two lines because they throw exception.
You should use the StorageFile object which has been returned by method savePicker.PickSaveFileAsync(), because that object has all permissions. Then you can simply call savedItem.OpenAsync(FileAccessMode.ReadWrite).
You probably do not have "Document Library Access" enabled in the capabilities portion of the appxmanifest of your app. Without this capability, windows will restrict access to the file system. There are similar capabilities for music, video, and picture libraries.
You have already added "File Picker" to the declarations portion, which is probably not what you want. The "File Picker" declaration indicates that if some other application invokes the file picker, your app will be listed as a possible source of files.
I've also found that adding Video or Picture Libraries access capability in Manifest only takes effect after restarting Windows 10.
Maybe it is an issue with my computer, but I think it is worth to share.

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