Using Server.MapPath in external C# Classes in ASP.NET

I'm trying to get the absolute path of certain files in a C# class. Server.MapPath works great of course for ASPX and their code-behind pages, but that doesn't exist in another class file. I tried HostingEnvironment.MapPath(), but that complains that the relative virtual path isn't allowed. Any thoughts?

System.Web is already imported.

Solution 1:

The ServerUtility class is available as an instance in your HttpContext. If you're in an environment where you know it'll be executed inside the ASP.Net pipeline, you can use

HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath()

You'll have to import System.Web though.

Solution 2:

you can also use:

var path = System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.MapPath("~/App_Data/myfile.txt")

if

var path = Server.MapPath("~/App_Data");
var fullpath = Path.Combine(path , "myfile.txt");

is inaccessible

Solution 3:

Can't you just add a reference to System.Web and then you can use Server.MapPath ?

Edit: Nowadays I'd recommend using the HostingEnvironment.MapPath Method:

It's a static method in System.Web assembly that Maps a virtual path to a physical path on the server. It doesn't require a reference to HttpContext.