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C# BinaryReader and BinaryWriter

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BinaryReader and BinaryWriter are the classes that are used to read and write into a binary file. These are just like C# StreamReader and StreamWriter except here we read and write to a binary file.

C# BinaryReader class

This class in C# is used to read binary information from a file. This class is present in System.IO namespace.

The BinaryReader contains the following commonly used methods.

MethodsDescription
Close()This method closes the BinaryReader object and the resources associated with it.
Read()It reads the character from the stream and increments the position of the stream.
ReadBoolean()It is used to read the boolean value and increases the stream by one byte.
ReadString()It is used to read a string from the current stream. The string is prefixed with the length, encoded as an integer seven bits at a time.

C# BinaryWriter Class

The BinaryWriter class is used to write binary information into a stream. This class is present in System.IO namespace.

The BinaryWriter contains the following commonly used methods.

MethodsDescription
Close()This method closes the BinaryReader object and the resources associated with it.
Write(type value)It is used to write on the current stream. we place the type and value according to the need.
Write(bool value) ,
Write(byte value) ,
Write(char ch),
Write(double value) ,
Write(int value) ,
Write(string value)
Flush()It is used to clear all buffers on the current writer and causes any buffered data to be written to the underlying device.
Seek(int offset, SeekOrigin origin)It is used to set a position on a current stream in a file.

Example: C# program for BinaryReader and BinaryWriter classes

using System;
using System.IO;

namespace FileProgram
{
  class Program
  {
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
      //BinaryWriter
      BinaryWriter bw = new BinaryWriter(new FileStream("sample.dat", FileMode.Create));

      bw.Write("This is Simple2code.com.");
      bw.Write(23.123);
      bw.Write(true);
      bw.Write(45);

      bw.Close();

      //BinaryReader
      BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(new FileStream("sample.dat", FileMode.Open));

      Console.WriteLine("String : " + br.ReadString());
      Console.WriteLine("Double : " + br.ReadDouble());
      Console.WriteLine("Boolean : " + br.ReadBoolean());
      Console.WriteLine("Integer : " + br.ReadInt32());

      br.Close();

    }
  }
}

Output: After the execution of the above program a new file sample.dat file will be created and the information written on it will be displayed on the screen.

String : This is Simple2code.com.
Double : 23.123
Boolean : True
Integer : 45

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