How do I create a directory on FTP server using C#?

Question

What's an easy way to create a directory on an FTP server using C#?

I figured out how to upload a file to an already existing folder like this:

using (WebClient webClient = new WebClient())
{
    string filePath = "d:/users/abrien/file.txt";
    webClient.UploadFile("ftp://10.128.101.78/users/file.txt", filePath);
}

However, if I want to upload to users/abrien, I get a WebException saying the file is unavailable. I assume this is because I need to create the new folder before uploading my file, but WebClient doesn't seem to have any methods to accomplish that.

Washedup

Answer 1

Use FtpWebRequest, with a method of WebRequestMethods.Ftp.MakeDirectory.

For example:

using System;
using System.Net;

class Test
{
    static void Main()
    {
        WebRequest request = WebRequest.Create("ftp://host.com/directory");
        request.Method = WebRequestMethods.Ftp.MakeDirectory;
        request.Credentials = new NetworkCredential("user", "pass");
        using (var resp = (FtpWebResponse) request.GetResponse())
        {
            Console.WriteLine(resp.StatusCode);
        }
    }
}

Motto

Any ideas on how to do this through an HTTP proxy? (not supported by FtpWebRequest) – Duenas

Not really, I'm afraid. From what I remember of my days working on HTTP proxies, they translate HTTP methods into FTP commands - and I can't think of an equivalent HTTP method :( – Motto

Is it possible to create nested directories with one WebRequest? I am trying to make "host.com/ExistingFolder/new1/new2", but I am getting "WebException - 550" (File not found, no access) and don't know weather this is the reason. – Pomelo

What is the expected (success) response on this? The documentation doesn't seem to cover it. Attempting to create a directory that already exists is giving ma a 550 as mentioned above (in addition to throwing an exception) – Fluting

Answer 2

Here is the answer if you want to create nested directories

There is no clean way to check if a folder exist on the ftp so you have to loop and create all the nested structure one folder at the time

public static void MakeFTPDir(string ftpAddress, string pathToCreate, string login, string password, byte[] fileContents, string ftpProxy = null)
    {
        FtpWebRequest reqFTP = null;
        Stream ftpStream = null;

        string[] subDirs = pathToCreate.Split('/');

        string currentDir = string.Format("ftp://{0}", ftpAddress);

        foreach (string subDir in subDirs)
        {
            try
            {
                currentDir = currentDir + "/" + subDir;
                reqFTP = (FtpWebRequest)FtpWebRequest.Create(currentDir);
                reqFTP.Method = WebRequestMethods.Ftp.MakeDirectory;
                reqFTP.UseBinary = true;
                reqFTP.Credentials = new NetworkCredential(login, password);
                FtpWebResponse response = (FtpWebResponse)reqFTP.GetResponse();
                ftpStream = response.GetResponseStream();
                ftpStream.Close();
                response.Close();
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                //directory already exist I know that is weak but there is no way to check if a folder exist on ftp...
            }
        }
    }

Churinga

What last two parameters doing? These ain't used in the method body. I used the method without the last two parameter, but could only manage to create nested directory upto 2 level, after that I got 505 error. – Mime

it returns error like : The remote server returned an error: (550) File unavailable (e.g., file not found, no access).Plz Help Me.. – Opuscule

@GhanshyamLakhani looks to me like the file isn't accessible. Have you check directory permission? – Churinga

Can't explain how vital this is to me. Kudos! – Pantograph

FYI assuming you're using a newer C# version you can do this: catch ( WebException ex ) when ( ex.Response is FtpWebResponse ftpResponse && ftpResponse.StatusDescription.Contains( "File exists" ) ) – Disadvantaged

@KyleP: Checking for magic string is dangerous as it depends on the server and the localization. Better use ftpResponse.StatusCode == FtpStatusCode.ActionNotTakenFileUnavailable which is the code 550 – Supercharge

Answer 3

Something like this:

// remoteUri points out an ftp address ("ftp://server/thefoldertocreate")
WebRequest request = WebRequest.Create(remoteUri);
request.Method = WebRequestMethods.Ftp.MakeDirectory;
WebResponse response = request.GetResponse();

(a bit late. how odd.)

Amphiboly

Answer 4

FluentFTP (nuget link) will create the subdirectory(ies) for you automatically via the

FluentFTP.FtpClient.CreateDirectoryAsync method

Swisher

Answer 5

Creating an FTP directory might be complicated since you have to check if the destination folder exists or not. You may need to use an FTP library to check and create a directory. You can take a look at this one: http://www.componentpro.com/ftp.net/ and this example: http://www.componentpro.com/doc/ftp/Creating-a-new-directory-Synchronously.htm

Emeldaemelen