stream does not exist in the current context using try

Question

I am attempting to read some data off of a server for a built in update function and I am getting a compile time error. Is there any way I can get around this? I need this to check if the user has a working internet connection and if not skip the update check. (Unless there are more reliable ways in .Net 4.5)

WebClient client = new WebClient();
try 
{ 
   Stream stream = client.OpenRead("http://repo.itechy21.com/updatematerial.txt"); 
}
catch (Exception ex)
{ MessageBox.Show(ex.Message); }

StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(stream); // <-- error here
String content = reader.ReadLine();

Error:

stream does not exist in the current context

Answer 1

Just declare the Stream variable before the try block. Otherwise its scope is limited to the try block itself. Remember that the scope of a variable is the block of code where it is declared. Just look at the most-inner opening and closing braces surrounding the variable and you'll immediately know where it's legal to refer to that variable.

Stream stream; // or Stream stream = null;
try
{
    stream = client.OpenRead("http://repo.itechy21.com/updatematerial.txt");
}
// rest of code