C# Convert byte array to string, using preamble or default encoding

Question

Im trying to convert a byte array to a string. The byte array includes a preamble (if the used encoder had one of those), and you must specify the default encoding if no preamble is stored in the byte array.

My code looks like this

public static string ArrayToStringUsingPreambleOrDefaultEncoder(byte[] bytes, Encoding defaultEncoder, out Encoding usedEncoder) {
  using (var mem = new MemoryStream(bytes))
  using (var reader = new StreamReader(mem, defaultEncoder, true)) {
    string result = reader.ReadToEnd();
    usedEncoder = reader.CurrentEncoding;
    return result;
  }
}

But it doesnt do the trick as I would expect. How do I make a StreamReader use the encoding specified by the preamble or a default encoding if no preamble is found. Do I really have to manually compare the preamble of ALL known encoders to the start of the array to find the right one?

Frode Evensen · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-11 14:07:53Z

2

From MSDN: "StreamReader is designed for character input in a particular encoding". So yes, you really do need to sniff out the correct encoding from the preamble to do this. There's an example method to do this here:

http://www.personalmicrocosms.com/Pages/dotnettips.aspx?c=15&t=17

Edit: The above link is broken but the old page is available at Wayback Machine Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20090203034127/http://www.personalmicrocosms.com/Pages/dotnettips.aspx?c=15&t=17*

edited May 11, 2018 at 14:07

Frode Evensen

6531 gold badge12 silver badges24 bronze badges

answered Dec 18, 2009 at 14:19

David M

73.2k13 gold badges164 silver badges187 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

C# Convert byte array to string, using preamble or default encoding

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related