Read Native Metadata Properties from RAR Archives in .NET

Introduction

RAR (Roshal Archive) is a popular file format used for data compression and archiving. When working with RAR files in .NET applications, it’s often necessary to read and extract metadata properties embedded within these archives. This tutorial will guide you through the process of utilizing GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to access and extract native metadata properties from RAR archives.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• Basic understanding of C# programming language.
• Visual Studio installed on your development machine.
• GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET library installed (refer to download link).
• Access to a RAR archive file for testing purposes.

Import Namespaces

To get started, import the necessary namespaces into your C# project:

using GroupDocs.Formats.Archive;
using System;
using GroupDocs.Metadata;
using System.Text;

Step 1: Load the RAR Archive

First, initialize a Metadata object by loading your RAR archive file:

using (Metadata metadata = new Metadata("YourZipFile.rar"))
{
    var root = metadata.GetRootPackage<RarRootPackage>();

Step 2: Access Total Entries in RAR Archive

Retrieve the total number of entries (files/folders) within the RAR archive:

Console.WriteLine(root.RarPackage.TotalEntries);

Step 3: Iterate Through Files in the Archive

Loop through each file within the RAR archive to access specific metadata properties:

foreach (var file in root.RarPackage.Files)
{
    Console.WriteLine(file.Name);
    Console.WriteLine(file.CompressedSize);
    Console.WriteLine(file.ModificationDateTime);
    Console.WriteLine(file.UncompressedSize);
}

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you’ve learned how to extract metadata properties from RAR archives using GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET. This library simplifies the process of accessing and utilizing metadata embedded within various file formats, enhancing the capabilities of your .NET applications.

FAQ’s

What is GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET is a powerful library that allows developers to work with metadata in various file formats, including archives like RAR.

How can I obtain a temporary license for GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

You can obtain a temporary license from here.

Does GroupDocs.Metadata support other archive formats apart from RAR?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata supports a wide range of archive formats, including ZIP, TAR, and 7z.

Can I modify metadata properties and update them within the RAR archive using this library?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata allows you to update, remove, and add metadata properties to supported file formats.

Where can I find additional help or support for GroupDocs.Metadata?

Visit the GroupDocs.Metadata forum for community support and discussions.