how to extract common file path from list of file paths in c#

Question

What is the best way extract the common file path from the list of file path strings in c#?

Eg: I have a list 5 file paths in List variable, like below

c:\

Answer 1

I would use a loop and on each string I'd split it with s.Split('\').

Then it iterate over the first element, and next element, saving them as I go.

When I find one that is different, I can return the last iteration's result.

string commonPath(string[] paths) {
    // this is a Java notation, I hope it's right in C# as well? Let me know!
    string[][] tokens = new string[paths.length][];

    for(int i = 0; i < paths.Length; i++) {
        tokens[i] = paths.Split('\\');
    }

    string path = "";

    for(int i = 0; i < tokens[0].Length; i++) {
        string current = tokens[0][i];
        for(int j = 1; j < tokens.Length; j++) {
            if(j >= tokens[i].Length) return path;
            if(current != tokens[i][j]) return path;
        }
        path = path + current + '\\';
    }
    return path; // shouldn't reach here, but possible on corner cases
}