Where should ASP.NET apps store data files?

Question

I have an ASP.NET page that will run on a shared hosting service (e.i. I'm leasing space on a single server that also serves content for other people) and I need a way to find a directory that I can save files in and that will not get hosted as web content. The file will be long lived and should be the same across sessions, visits, etc. I think App_data might work.

Is there a method or property that will give me an absolute path to such a directory?

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Kinda like this question that doesn't have a useful answerer.

Answer 1

Get a fileserver going.

Or a shared directory that all the web servers can access.

Answer 2

in /App_Data/ ?

Answer 3

Due to permissions that must be established on the directory housing these files it is usually for the best that it not be in your application's path. Other than that it really just comes down to what you have available, and how you want to manage it.

Answer 4

App_Data is safe because by default you can't download file from there by typing in a URL to your browser.

IsolatedStorage is good if you need to isolate users from each other. IsolatedStorage requires less collaboration with your IIS admin when it comes to granting NTFS rights to folders outside of your virtual directory. Blobs in the database are possibilities, too but the extra effort involved with blobs in databases makes it a last resort choice.

Answer 5

If data is static - you can store it in resources too.
At least - i haven't heard any arguments why that is bad.