Convert ASCII in a byte array to string

Question

I seem to be having problems with my string conversions in C#. My application has received a byte array consisting of an ASCII string (one byte per character). Unfortunately it also has a 0 in the first location. So how do I convert this byte array to a c# string? Below is a sample of the data I am trying to convert:

byte[] exampleByteArray = new byte[] { 0x00, 0x52, 0x50, 0x4D, 0x20, 0x3D, 0x20, 0x32, 0x35, 0x35, 0x2C, 0x36, 0x30, 0x0A, 0x00 };
string myString = null;

I have made several unsuccessful attempts, so thought I would ask for assistance. Eventually I need to add the string to a listbox:

listBox.Items.Add(myString);

The desired output in the listBox: "RPM = 255,630" (with or without the linefeed). The byte array will be variable length, but will always be terminated with 0x00

Damith · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-05 05:04:18Z

14

byte[] exampleByteArray = new byte[] { 0x00, 0x52, 0x50, 0x4D, 0x20, 0x3D, 0x20, 0x32, 0x35, 0x35, 0x2C, 0x36, 0x30, 0x0A, 0x00 };
exampleByteArray = exampleByteArray.Where(x=>x!=0x00).ToArray(); // not sure this is OK with your requirements 
string myString =  System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetString(exampleByteArray).Trim();

Result :

RPM = 255,60

you can add this to listBox

listBox.Items.Add(myString);

Update :

As per new comment byte array can contain garbage after the trailing 0x00 (remnants of previous strings).

You need to skip first 0x00 and then consider bytes until you get 0x00, so you can use power of Linq to do this task. e.g ASCII.GetString(exampleByteArray.Skip(1).TakeWhile(x => x != 0x00).ToArray())

edited Sep 5, 2013 at 5:04

answered Sep 5, 2013 at 3:40

Damith

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2 Comments

frog_jr Over a year ago

Oh, so close! I forgot to mention that the byte array can contain garbage after the trailing 0x00 (remnants of previous strings)...

frog_jr Over a year ago

This sure beats a for loop, THANKS!

clamchoda · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-05 03:41:38Z

1

 byte[] exampleByteArray = new byte[] { 0x00, 0x52, 0x50, 0x4D, 0x20, 0x3D, 0x20, 0x32, 0x35, 0x35, 0x2C, 0x36, 0x30, 0x0A, 0x00 };
 string myString = System.Text.ASCIIEncoding.Default.GetString(exampleByteArray);

Result: myString = "\0RPM = 255,60\n\0"

answered Sep 5, 2013 at 3:41

clamchoda

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Rodrick Chapman · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-05 04:32:22Z

1

var buffer = new byte[] { 0x00, 0x52, 0x50, 0x4D, 0x20, 0x3D, 0x20, 0x32, 0x35, 0x35, 0x2C, 0x36, 0x30, 0x0A, 0x00 }
    .Skip(1)
    .TakeWhile(b => b != 0x00).ToArray();

Console.WriteLine(System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetString(buffer));

answered Sep 5, 2013 at 4:32

Rodrick Chapman

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