How can I extract a file from an embedded resource and save it to disk?

Question

I'm trying to compile the code below using CSharpCodeProvider. The file is successfully compiled, but when I click on the generated EXE file, I get an error (Windows is searching for a solution to this problem) and nothing happens.

When I compile the code below using CSharpCodeProvider, I've added the MySql.Data.dll as an embedded resource file using this line of code:

if (provider.Supports(GeneratorSupport.Resources))
    cp.EmbeddedResources.Add("MySql.Data.dll");

The file is successfully embedded (because I noticed the file size increased).

In the code below, I try to extract the embedded DLL file and save it to System32, but the code below doesn't work for some reason.

namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
    class Program
    {
        public static void ExtractSaveResource(String filename, String location)
        {
            //Assembly assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
            Assembly a = .Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
            //Stream stream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Installer.Properties.mydll.dll"); // or whatever
            //string my_namespace = a.GetName().Name.ToString();
            Stream resFilestream = a.GetManifestResourceStream(filename);
            if (resFilestream != null)
            {
                BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(resFilestream);
                FileStream fs = new FileStream(location, FileMode.Create); // Say
                BinaryWriter bw = new BinaryWriter(fs);
                byte[] ba = new byte[resFilestream.Length];
                resFilestream.Read(ba, 0, ba.Length);
                bw.Write(ba);
                br.Close();
                bw.Close();
                resFilestream.Close();
            }
            // this.Close();
        }

        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            try
            {
                string systemDir = Environment.SystemDirectory;
                ExtractSaveResource("MySql.Data.dll", systemDir);
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
                Console.ReadKey();
            }
        }
    }
}

How can I extract the DLL file that is embedded as a resource and save it to System32?

Answer 1

I have found that the easiest way to do this is to use Properties.Resources and File. Here is the code I use (requires using System.IO)...

For Binary files: File.WriteAllBytes(fileName, Properties.Resources.file);

For Text files: File.WriteAllText(fileName, Properties.Resources.file);