FormatDetector 1.7.0

FormatDetector

A lightweight, high-performance .NET library for offline file type identification based on file paths or raw data streams.

Overview

FormatDetector provides a simple way to identify the type of a file without relying solely on file extensions. By analyzing both file signatures and metadata, it can identify over 2,000+ generic file types. It supports both direct file paths and Stream objects (FileStream and MemoryStream), making it ideal for desktop tools and background processing. Because it operates entirely offline, it is ideal for secure environments, local processing, and high-speed applications where network latency is not an option.

Key Features

• Lightweight: Minimal dependencies, designed for .NET Framework 4.8.
• Dual Support: Identify files via File Path String or System IO Stream.
• Detailed Metadata: Returns a FileType structure containing the Extension, Type, and a descriptive Statement.
• Trial Mode: Included "Freemium" logic allows for 30 trial detections per application lifetime unless a valid license key is provided.

Installation

Install the package via NuGet Package Manager:

Install-Package FormatDetector

Purchase

Purchase a license securely online.

Usage

Here is how to use FormatDetector in your C# project.

License Activation

If you have a license key, you can activate it to bypass the trial limit:

// Ensure you include the correct namespace
using FormatDetector;

// Activate your license key
bool isOk = FormatDetector.LicenseKey("your_license_key_here");

// Example check
Console.WriteLine(isOk.ToString());

Detecting File Types

You can detect a file type by providing a direct file path:

// Detect the format using a file path
var result = FormatDetector.Processor.Probe(@"Z:\File.ext");

// Access the properties
Console.WriteLine(result.Extension);  // Extension
Console.WriteLine(result.File_Type);   // File type
Console.WriteLine(result.Statement);    // Detailed description

Quick One-Liners

If you need a quick identification without storing the object:

// From Stream:
Console.WriteLine(FormatDetector.Processor.Probe(stream).Statement);

// From File Path:
Console.WriteLine(FormatDetector.Processor.Probe(@"Z:\File.ext").Statement);