Returns the contents of a file as a byte array.
' Usage Dim value As Byte() = My.Computer.FileSystem.ReadAllBytes(file) ' Declaration Public Function ReadAllBytes( _ ByVal file As String _ ) As Byte()
String. File to be read. Required.
Byte array containing the contents of the file.
The following conditions may cause an exception to be thrown:
The path is not valid for one of the following reasons: it is a zero-length string; it contains only white space; it contains invalid characters; or it is a device path (starts with \\.\) (ArgumentException).
The file name ends with a trailing slash (ArgumentException).
The path is not valid because it is Nothing (ArgumentNullException).
The file does not exist (FileNotFoundException).
The file is in use by another process or an I/O error occurs (IOException).
The path exceeds the system-defined maximum length (PathTooLongException).
A file or directory name in the path contains a colon (:) or is in an invalid format (NotSupportedException).
There is not enough memory to write the string to buffer (OutOfMemoryException).
The user lacks necessary permissions to view the path (SecurityException).
The ReadAllBytes method of the My.Computer.FileSystem object allows you to read from a binary file. The contents of the file are returned as a byte array.
Do not make decisions about the contents of the file based on the name of the file. For example, the file Form1.vb may not be a Visual Basic source file. Verify all inputs before using the data in your application.
The following table lists examples of tasks involving the My.Computer.FileSystem.ReadAllBytes method.
To
See
Read from a binary file
How to: Read From Binary Files in Visual Basic
This example reads from the file C:/Documents and Settings/selfportrait.jpg.
My.Computer.FileSystem.ReadAllBytes _ ("C:/Documents and Settings/selfportrait.jpg")
Namespace: Microsoft.VisualBasic.MyServices
Class: FileSystemProxy (provides access to FileSystem)
Assembly: Visual Basic Runtime Library (in Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll)
Project type
Available
Windows Application
Yes
Class Library
Console Application
Windows Control Library
Web Control Library
Windows Service
Web Site
The following permission may be necessary:
Permission
Description
FileIOPermission
Controls the ability to access files and folders. Associated enumeration: Unrestricted.
For more information, see Code Access Security and Requesting Permissions.