"FileSystem" doesn't work on .net maui 9 preview blazor hybrid "Web App" project

Question

SCENARIO

I am using .Net Maui 9.0 Preview, Blazor Hybrid Web App.

I need to initiate some code before the project starts (or in parallel) but it must display on home page after fetching it from some files.

This code must work as Maui App (for Android, iOS, Mac) and as a Web App.

That is why, I am initiating the services in the MainLayout.razor.cs ( I added MainLayout.razor.cs) file, because I didn't find any where else to start (entrypoint to the apps)!?!

THE PROBLEM

Couple of tasks which must be completed first, It is working fine on Maui Apps side. But it gives an error when running it on Web App.

ERROR

Microsoft.Maui.ApplicationModel.NotImplementedInReferenceAssemblyException: This functionality is not implemented in the portable version of this assembly. You should reference the NuGet package from your main application project in order to reference the platform-specific implementation.

(Full Log is attached) ErrorLog.txt

Full Code (solution) is attached MauiApp5.zip

CODE

public class MyFileAccess
{
    private string jsonDataFileName = "Resources/Raw/languages.json";
    public async Task<ObservableCollection<T>> ReadJsonDataAsync<T>()
    {
        ObservableCollection<T>? genericTypeList = new();
        Debug.WriteLine(FileSystem.AppDataDirectory);
        var isExist = await FileSystem.Current.AppPackageFileExistsAsync(jsonDataFileName);
        if (isExist)
        {
            var stream = await FileSystem.Current.OpenAppPackageFileAsync(jsonDataFileName);
            var reader = new StreamReader(stream);
            var contents = await reader.ReadToEndAsync();
            genericTypeList = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<ObservableCollection<T>>(contents);
        }
        return genericTypeList!;
    }
}

The documentation link suggests that it is part of Microsoft.Maui.Storage (and includes Maui.Essentials). Not sure what (which assembly) am I missing?

Answer 1

@wafers Microsoft.Maui.Storage will work on apps installed on computers, but I do not think it will work in a website. Websites are not allowed to access the user's filesystem.

You could just add a class that return an array of Language Objects. Put this service in the Shared Project Services folder. Then you can call it from all projects anywhere anytime.

using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;

namespace MauiApp5.Shared.Services
{
    public static class LanguageService
    {
        public static List<Language> GetLanguages()
        {
            var languages = new List<Language>();
            var li1 = new Language { LanguageId = 1, Name = "Albanian", TextAlignment = "Left" };
            var li2 = new Language { LanguageId = 2, Name = "English", TextAlignment = "Left" };
            var li3 = new Language { LanguageId = 3, Name = "Persian", TextAlignment = "Right" };
            languages.Add(li1);
            languages.Add(li2);
            languages.Add(li3);
            return languages;
        }

    }
    public class Language : IEquatable<Language>, IComparable<Language>
    {
        [Required]
        public int? LanguageId { get; set; }
        [Required]
        public string? Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
        [Required]
        public string? TextAlignment { get; set; } = string.Empty;

        public override bool Equals(object? obj)
        {
            if (obj == null) return false;
            Language? objAsLanguage = obj as Language;
            if (objAsLanguage == null) return false;
            else return Equals(objAsLanguage);
        }

        public int SortByNameAscending(string name1, string name2)
        {
            return name1.CompareTo(name2);
        }

        // Default comparer for Language type.
        public int CompareTo(Language? compareName)
        {
            // A null value means that this object is greater.
            if (compareName == null)
                return 1;
            else
                return Name!.CompareTo(compareName.Name);
        }

        public bool Equals(Language? other)
        {
            if (other == null) return false;
            return Name!.Equals(other.Name);
        }

        public override int GetHashCode()
        {
            throw new NotImplementedException();
        }
    }

Here is the Home page using the LanguageService

@page "/"
@using MauiApp5.Shared.Services


<PageTitle>Home</PageTitle>

<h1>Hello, Languages!</h1>

@if(Languages != null)
{
    foreach(var language in Languages)
    {
        <li>@language.LanguageId</li>
        <li>@language.Name</li>
        <li>@language.TextAlignment</li>
    }
}

@code {

    protected List<Language> Languages { get; set; }

    protected override void OnInitialized()
    {
        Languages = LanguageService.GetLanguages();
        base.OnInitialized();
    }
}