c# execute program from MemoryStream

Question

Hi maestros,

How can I execute a program that is in a MemoryStream so I don't have to save it first to the harddisk. The file may not be saved temperally to the harddisk. The program has to be 100% functional from in memory.

        static   string strTemplate = "MyAPP.SOMEprogram.exe";
        byte[] template;
        int len = 0;

        Assembly assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
        using (Stream stream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(strTemplate))
        {

            len = (int)stream.Length;
            BinaryReader reader = new BinaryReader(stream);
            template = reader.ReadBytes(len);


        }

        MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(template, true);

Now all 100% working program in MemoryStream (on RAM), can i execute that program? Many Thanks

Answer 1

I cannot think of an obviouse way to do this. The closest I can think of is using a RAM disc - you will have no hard disc access (besides maybe paging) but this is still very different from what you are asking.

Just to note, I am talking about running arbitrary programs, not loading managed assemblies.

Answer 2

You can try Assembly.Load(byte[]), but you may have to work around the code access permissions, and some antivirus may not allow you to do it as well.

Answer 3

The key here is to build/load an assembly in memory from the byte array see. Once you have a reference to the assembly you can easily get access to its types and instantiate them. Once you have got type instances call a method on it to "run" your program.