GetDirectories fails to enumerate subfolders of a folder with #255 name

Question

My application is C# 3.5 runs on Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit. It goes through all folder subfolders to perform its job. However, it fails (falls into the infinite loop until Stac

Answer 1

ASCII character 255 is not fully supported by Windows. For visual sake it translates the this character into a "_" character.

The reason? ASCII 255 character displays as an invisible character but takes up one character space, therefore, a confusion between this character and the ASCII 32 SPACE character. This character only works on Windows 98 and lower versions including all DOS versions (if I'm not mistaken).

EDIT: Windows 7 now has some fix with some extended characters. The code should be handled fine if running on that OS.

The solution? Don't use this character as file and folder name because your program.

or

1. Let the program check for extended characters and skip them if they exists before it loops indefinitely.

2. Allow the program to folders with extended characters but if in case it loops continuously, place a code that will skip that folder and move to the next folder item.

3. Your code should work with Vista and Windows 7, make that your program requirement.