Pick random file - .net 3.5

[adrianjohnson]

I'm trying to write a program which picks up an image at random. Here is some of the code:

string nextImage = "";
int fileCount = 0;

// Get a count of images within the folder.
DirectoryInfo imageFiles = new DirectoryInfo(Properties.Settings.Default.ScreensaverImagePath);

// For each image extension (.jpg, .bmp, etc.)
foreach (string imageExtension in imageExtensions)
{
 int imageCount = imageFiles.GetFiles(imageExtension).Length;
 fileCount = fileCount + imageCount;
}

// Generate a random number.
Random random = new Random();
int randomNo = random.Next(fileCount);

for (int a = 0; a < fileCount; a++)
{
 if (a == randomNo)
 {
  // Set the image.
                    
 }
}

return nextImage;

It's the section marked "Set the image" where I need to be able to pick up the filename. I tried "Image.FromFile" but it doesn't recognise "FromFile" as it's a .net 2 statement.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Adrian

Adrian Johnson

http://www.amanian.co.uk

http://www.adrian-johnson.com

 

[jmeckley]

I would load all the file names into an array and randomly select a file name. then display that file. something like this.

function string[] LoadImagesFrom(string directoryPath)
{
   return Directory.GetFiles(directoryPath);
}

private Random random = new Random();
function Image SelectARandomImageFrom(string[] listOfImages)
{
   int randomNo = random.Next(listOfFileNames.Length);
   return new Image(listOfFileNames[randomNo]);
}

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

 

[adrianjohnson]

Thanks for the code Jason, but I now get an error:

Error 1 'System.Windows.Controls.Image' does not contain a constructor that takes '1' arguments

on the line:

return new Image(listOfFileNames[randomNo]);

Adrian Johnson

http://www.amanian.co.uk

http://www.adrian-johnson.com

 

[AlexCuse]

Pretty sure you need to instantiate it as new Bitmap("path\to\file.jpg"), as Image does not have a constructor.

Or, just use Image.FromFile(string) as this is supported in 3.5:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing.image.fromfile.aspx

Hope this helps,

Alex

[small]----signature below----[/small]
I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs

My Crummy Web Page

 

[adrianjohnson]

Thanks Alex. I did try that before, but get the following error message:

The type name 'FromFile' does not exist in the type 'System.Windows.Controls.Image'

Next, I added the System.Drawing dll and the directive, but it opened up a whole host of error messages about it getting confused between Windows.Controls.Image and Drawing.Image !

Now I'm even more confused.

Thanks for the help so far,

Adrian

Adrian Johnson

http://www.amanian.co.uk

http://www.adrian-johnson.com

 

[jmeckley]

namespace resolution is the problem. example say Namespace 1 and 2 both have a class Foo. the following will not work.

using Namespace1
using Namespace2

public class SomeClass
{
   public void DoSomething()
   {
      //error, which foo should code use?
      IFoo = new Foo();
   }
}

you have a few choices. reference the full name of the object

public class SomeClass
{
   public void DoSomething()
   {
      //fully qualtified namespace
      Namespace1.IFoo = new Namespace1.Foo();
   }
}

removed the unecessary namespace

using Namespace1

public class SomeClass
{
   public void DoSomething()
   {
      //no conflict, only 1 namespace
      IFoo = new Foo();
   }
}

or alias the namespace

using Fu = Namespace1;
using Namespace2;

public class SomeClass
{
   public void DoSomething()
   {
      //alias clarifies the object/namespace
      Fu.IFoo = new Fu.Foo();
   }
}

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

 

[AlexCuse]

Great explanation Jason!

I didn't even pick up on the "Windows.Controls" taking the place of "Drawing"

[small]----signature below----[/small]
I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs

My Crummy Web Page