System.IO.File.GetLastAccessTime Method

Returns the date and time the specified file or directory was last accessed.

Syntax

public static DateTime GetLastAccessTime (string path)

Parameters

path
The file or directory for which to obtain access date and time information.

Returns

A DateTime structure set to the date and time that the specified file or directory was last accessed. This value is expressed in local time.

Exceptions

TypeReason
ArgumentException path is a zero-length string, contains only white space, or contains one or more implementation-specific invalid characters.
ArgumentNullException path is null.
System.IO.IOException path was not found.
System.IO.PathTooLongExceptionThe length of path or the absolute path information for path exceeds the system-defined maximum length.
System.Security.SecurityExceptionThe caller does not have the required permission.
UnauthorizedAccessExceptionThe caller does not have the required permission.

Remarks

Note:

This method may return an inaccurate value, because it uses native functions whose values may not be continuously updated by the operating system.

If the file described in the path parameter does not exist, this method returns 12:00 midnight, January 1, 1601 A.D. (C.E.) Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), adjusted to local time.

The path parameter is permitted to specify relative or absolute path information. Relative path information is interpreted as relative to the current working directory. To obtain the current working directory, see Directory.GetCurrentDirectory.

For a list of common I/O tasks, see Common I/O Tasks.

Permissions

TypeReason
System.Security.Permissions.FileIOPermissionRequires permission to read the specified file or directory. See System.Security.Permissions.FileIOPermissionAccess.Read.

Requirements

Namespace: System.IO
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
Assembly Versions: 1.0.5000.0, 2.0.0.0, 4.0.0.0