How do you backup a file before editing and automatically restore it if the operation fails?

Question

ICSM Computer · Answer

To back up a file before editing and automatically restore it if the operation fails, follow this common pattern:
Pattern: Backup → Try Edit → On Failure → Restore
Copy the original file to a backup locationAttempt the edit operationOn exception, restore from backupOn success, optionally delete the backup
C# Example
using System;
using System.IO;
public class SafeFileEditor
{
    public static void EditFileSafely(string originalPath, Actionandlt;stringandgt; editAction)
    {
        string backupPath = originalPath + ".bak";
        try
        {
            // Step 1: Backup
            File.Copy(originalPath, backupPath, overwrite: true);
            // Step 2: Try the edit
            editAction(originalPath);
            // Step 3: Delete backup after successful edit
            if (File.Exists(backupPath))
                File.Delete(backupPath);
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Message}");
            // Step 4: Restore from backup
            if (File.Exists(backupPath))
            {
                File.Copy(backupPath, originalPath, overwrite: true);
                Console.WriteLine("Original file restored from backup.");
            }
        }
    }
}
Example Usage
SafeFileEditor.EditFileSafely("data.txt", path =andgt;
{
    // Example: Append some text
    File.AppendAllText(path, "
Updated on " + DateTime.Now);
});
Tips for Safety
Use a .bak, .backup, or timestamped suffix for the backup file.Make sure backup and restore operations handle IOException (file in use, permission denied).For large or critical files, consider copying to another disk or making a zip snapshot.

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How do you backup a file before editing and automatically restore it if the operation fails?

ICSM Computer

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1 Answers

Pattern: Backup → Try Edit → On Failure → Restore

C# Example

Example Usage

Tips for Safety

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