Check file creation time using VB.Net

Question

Hi,

I have a text file C:\Time.txt and here I have written a time stamp, like following:

15/3/2022 3:30:02 PM

Is it possible to check with VB if this file is

• 10 days old (after comparing the time in time stamp of file). and if YES, delete it otherwise don't delete it?

Answer 1

Hi
One way ........................

    ' test file path  
    Dim path As String = "C:\Users\lesha\Desktop\freddy.txt"  
  
    ' just for this example so  
    ' that various Dates can be tried  
    IO.File.SetCreationTime(path, Now.AddDays(-11))  
  
    Dim d As DateTime = IO.File.GetCreationTime(path) '.CreationTime  
  
    If d.AddDays(10) <= Now Then  
      ' here is where the file would  
      ' be deleted  
      '      IO.File.Delete(path)  
      Stop  
    End If  

Answer 2

Hi
Here is a variation using exactly the same code but wrapped in a loop to cycle through dates varying from now to now-11 days. The results are shown in the ListBox1.

Everything is as expected in this test.

The only thing I can think of is that you tried to use the example code I posted on the same file that you later tried with the amended code - the point being, the Creation date of the file may have been changed by the first trial and so was seen to be an 'old' file on later trials. When developing and testing, you should NEVER use actual data/files/things to test with, only use items specifically made for testing with (eg a COPY of a file). Also, you should never just copy/paste code from the forum and test on valid data without verifying that it is working correctly.

To try this code out on a TEST FILE, put a ListBox1 onto Form1 and run this code.

REMEMBER: there is code in this example to actually chane a file creation date so that the example works. You must not use the line containing 'SetCreationTime' on your own files.

Option Strict On  
Option Explicit On  
Public Class Form1  
  Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load  
  
    ' test file path  
    Dim path As String = "C:\Users\lesha\Desktop\freddy.txt"  
  
  
    For i As Integer = 1 To 11  
      IO.File.SetCreationTime(path, Now.AddDays(-i))  
  
      Dim d As DateTime = IO.File.GetCreationTime(path)  
  
      If d.AddDays(10) <= Now Then  
        ListBox1.Items.Add("Create Date " & d.ToString & "   Deleted")  
      Else  
        ListBox1.Items.Add("Create Date " & d.ToString & "   NOT Deleted")  
      End If  
    Next  
  End Sub  
End Class