Console Application: System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file

Question

I have a .NET console application (.NETFramework v.4.8) that reads a CSV file in the root of my project.

File.ReadAllLines("fuel.csv");

When I run my program, I get the following error:

System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 
"/Users/ryan.payne/Sites/linq-fundamentals/LinqFundamentals/Cars/bin/Debug/fuel.csv"

How do I get my console application to read the file?

Answer 1

You have two options:

Option 1 - Manually edit .csproj file

Open the .csproj file and replace <None Include="fuel.csv"> with the following:

<None Include="fuel.csv">
  <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
</None>

Option 2 - Update properties in dialog

1. Right click on the file
2. Click "Properties"
3. Set "Copy to output directory" to "Copy if newer" (scroll down if you don't see these options)