[2008] Copying big files

I have a code that copies a folder of files to different directory and sorts them and they are about 700mb but the problem im having is that when it runs on form load the form freezes and doesnt refresh till its done so my question is what can i use that can handle this better?

Use a background worker to do the copy of the files.

will i still be able to show the status of how things are going? Also how do i copy using background worker? Ive been searching google and cannot find anything to help me out.

The background worker is a component you can add to a form from the designer. The background worker also has a ProgressChanged event, which you can fire and then in that event handler you can update a progress bar on the main form, for example:

Code:

---

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        BackgroundWorker1.RunWorkerAsync()
    End Sub


    Private Sub BackgroundWorker1_DoWork(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.DoWorkEventArgs) Handles BackgroundWorker1.DoWork
        For i As Integer = 0 To 20
            System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(500)
            BackgroundWorker1.ReportProgress(i * 5)
        Next
    End Sub

    Private Sub BackgroundWorker1_ProgressChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.ProgressChangedEventArgs) Handles BackgroundWorker1.ProgressChanged
        ProgressBar1.Value = e.ProgressPercentage
    End Sub

---

Ok i understand that much but do i use the same code as i would in a regular form to copy?

Edit also i tried debugging as is and i get this error:
"This BackgroundWorker states that it doesn't report progress. Modify WorkerReportsProgress to state that it does report progress."

Yep, just put your copying code into the DoWork function.

Ok thanks but one more thing, i keep getting this error:
""This BackgroundWorker states that it doesn't report progress. Modify WorkerReportsProgress to state that it does report progress.""

The error message is telling you exactly what you need to do. Modify the WorkerReportsProgress property.

I realized and i fixed it, you replied too fast lol.. Thanks for the help.

Next problem just came up. "Cross-thread operation not valid: Control 'txtInstallLog' accessed from a thread other than the thread it was created on."

and its reffering too the part of my code where i have:

vb Code:

Private Sub InstallLog(ByVal strLog As String)
        txtInstallLog.Text = txtInstallLog.Text & strLog & vbCrLf
        txtInstallLog.SelectionStart = txtInstallLog.Text.Length
    End Sub

How do i allow Cross-thread/fix this?

You will need to use a delegate if you want to access form controls from your background worker:

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...light=delegate

I dont understand 100% on what to do here as its throwing an exception to the labels and textbox i have on the form and since its in Backgroundworker1 im confused at to what goes in Addressof or what to put as string(I know what must be done i just dont know how to do it). Please bare with me as im totally new to using background worker.

Here is a link that will help you immensely: Accessing Controls from Worker Threads

I had a look at that also but what would i put here "(AddressOf ResetTextBoxText)" . My status(label) is supposed to change the text multiple times throughout and display something else so how do i end up setting that up?

Ive been doing that for every part that it throws the exception but now ive came to a stop:

vb Code:

Private Sub InstallLog(ByVal strLog As String)
        If Me.txtInstallLog.InvokeRequired Then
            Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New MethodInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog))
        Else
            Try
                txtInstallLog.Text = txtInstallLog.Text & strLog & vbCrLf
                txtInstallLog.SelectionStart = txtInstallLog.Text.Length
            Catch ex As Exception
                MsgBox(ex.ToString)
            End Try
        End If
    End Sub

The error i get is "Method 'Private Sub InstallLog(strLog As String)' does not have a signature compatible with delegate 'Delegate Sub MethodInvoker()'.
" and it give me the error in this line "Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New MethodInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog))"

Did you read the article we posted? It goes over the exact scenario if you have to pass parameters to the fucntion call. It's the second post. Basically you need to create your own delegate type to handle the scenario:

Code:

---

    Private Sub BackgroundWorker1_DoWork(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.DoWorkEventArgs) Handles BackgroundWorker1.DoWork
        For i As Integer = 0 To 20
            System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(500)
            BackgroundWorker1.ReportProgress(i * 5)
            TextBox1.Invoke(New UpdateTextInvoker(AddressOf UpdateText), i * 5 & " % Complete")
        Next
    End Sub

    Private Delegate Sub UpdateTextInvoker(ByVal Value As String)
    Private Sub UpdateText(ByVal Value As String)
        TextBox1.Text &= Value & Environment.NewLine
    End Sub

---

I did. This is what i have (I for got to add the delegate part ot the post above):

vb Code:

Private Delegate Sub SetTextInvoker(ByVal strLog As String)
    Private Sub InstallLog(ByVal strLog As String)
        Try
            txtInstallLog.Text = txtInstallLog.Text & strLog & vbCrLf
            txtInstallLog.SelectionStart = txtInstallLog.Text.Length
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.ToString)
        End Try
 
 Private Sub BackgroundWorker1_DoWork(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.DoWorkEventArgs) Handles BackgroundWorker1.DoWork
        Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New MethodInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog))

What am i missing because i obviously am.

I got it to stop showing the error but now i get "Parameter count mismatch."

vb Code:

Private Delegate Sub InstallLogInvoker(ByVal strLog As String)
    Private Sub InstallLog(ByVal strLog As String)
        Try
            txtInstallLog.Text = txtInstallLog.Text & strLog & vbCrLf
            txtInstallLog.SelectionStart = txtInstallLog.Text.Length
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.ToString)
        End Try
    End Sub
 
Private Sub BackgroundWorker1_DoWork(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.DoWorkEventArgs) Handles BackgroundWorker1.DoWork
        Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New InstallLogInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog))
End Sub

You are getting a parameter count mismatch, because you are not sending a parameter for strLog.

Code:

---

Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New InstallLogInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog),"Write this to the log.")

---

So everytime its supposed say something i have to invoke it?

I fixed that problem by doing this

vb Code:

Me.txtInstallLog.Invoke(New InstallLogInvoker(AddressOf InstallLog), "Currently installing, please wait.")

But how do i fix the one that shows status in my label? Its just a simple Status.Text = ("Installation Started.") and doesnt have its own sub.