What is the difference between FileInfo and the static File class?

Question

ICSM Computer · Answer

The main difference between FileInfo and the static File class in C# lies in
how they are used and their programming style:
1. FileInfo – Instance-Based API
Requires creating an object tied to a specific file.Suitable when you’re working repeatedly with the same file.Properties like Length, Exists, and LastWriteTime are cached (for performance).
var fileInfo = new FileInfo(@"C:\example.txt");
if (fileInfo.Exists)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Size: {fileInfo.Length}");
    fileInfo.Delete();
}
2. File – Static Utility Class
Provides static methods for one-off operations.No need to create an object.Ideal for quick, simple tasks like copying or reading a file.
if (File.Exists(@"C:\example.txt"))
{
    string text = File.ReadAllText(@"C:\example.txt");
    File.Delete(@"C:\example.txt");
}
Summary Table
Feature
FileInfo
File (Static)
Type
Class (instance-based)
Static class
Initialization
Requires new FileInfo(path)
No object creation needed
Performance
Caches metadata (e.g., Length)
No caching — re-reads every time
Use Case
Repeated operations on the same file
Simple one-off file tasks
Flexibility
Can be extended or mocked
Hard to mock (static methods)
and

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What is the difference between FileInfo and the static File class?

ICSM Computer

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1 Answers

1. `FileInfo` – Instance-Based API

2. `File` – Static Utility Class

Summary Table

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Feature	`FileInfo`	`File` (Static)
Type	Class (instance-based)	Static class
Initialization	Requires `new FileInfo(path)`	No object creation needed
Performance	Caches metadata (e.g., `Length`)	No caching — re-reads every time
Use Case	Repeated operations on the same file	Simple one-off file tasks
Flexibility	Can be extended or mocked	Hard to mock (static methods)