ASP.NET MVC3: Cant find/access file

Question

 String DocLocation = System.AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory + "Files/test.pdf";
        // or
 String DocLocation = Url.Content("~/Files/test.pdf");

 var document = new FileStream(DocLocation, FileMode.Open);
 var mimeType = "application/pdf";
 var fileDownloadName = "download.pdf";

 return File(document, mimeType, fileDownloadName);

The first method is UnauthorizedAccessException.

The second method cant find the file.

I am trying to send a file for download. Using full desktop path seems to work.

Also, how would I display PDF in the browser instead (note, still need download option as not all are pdf)?

Unlike my deployed server, there is no IIS User to set permission for. Unless Im missing something — IAmGroot
– IAmGroot, Commented Feb 7, 2012 at 14:30

Mikael Härsjö · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-07 14:28:54Z

4

Try Server.MapPath("~/Files/test.pdf")

answered Feb 7, 2012 at 14:28

Mikael Härsjö

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3 Comments

IAmGroot Over a year ago

This is the same result location string as my first method. Unauthorised access exception.

Mikael Härsjö Over a year ago

I would check file access on the file

IAmGroot Over a year ago

Turns out the file had a readonly attribute set. They are being copied off a central file server. I didnt expect this flag to be set, though it makes sense. Thanks for the better Absolute path code.

SLaks · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-07 14:30:53Z

2

File() takes a physical path on disk.
Therefore, you can't use Url.Content, since that returns a relative URL for the browser.

Instead, you need Server.MapPath, which converts an application relative path into a full path on the local disk.

answered Feb 7, 2012 at 14:30

SLaks

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1 Comment

IAmGroot Over a year ago

Okay. This is the same result location string as my first method. Unauthorised access exception.

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