RE: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
On Sun, May 8, 2005 9:22 pm, Murray @ PlanetThoughtful said: As others have suggested, using an ftp client application is one way to handle it, however, users being users, the feedback has been Why do we need to upload the files via an ftp client, *then* go to the web application and attach the filename to a job entry? Why can't we do it all at once? Some alternatives to consider: If you can get them to name their files in some consistent manner, perhaps you could determine the job entry from their filenames. So they upload a file names 'job4732.zip' and they are done. Your PHP script checks their FTP space for the file, examines the filename, and knows what job entry to tie it to. Another possibility is that the content within the file may somehow indicate what job the file belongs with. You may even be able to check *both* their filename and the contents, and have the program cross-check for consistency, and only auto-process the ones that pass both tests. If the filenames would be too long perhaps you could have them use some kind of pre-built directory structure on their desktop where they drop their files into the right job entry Then you have a .bat file that runs through the directories and compares date/time stamps and uploads new files. There are a lot of possible solutionns, really, but it depends on the work flow and actual data what's best Certainly if you can make life easier for them *AND* maintain, or even improve, accuracy of the data upload and data entry, it's worth some development time. Hey, maybe you even install php.exe on their desktops, and write the synchronization script in PHP :-) -- Like Music? http://l-i-e.com/artists.htm -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
Re: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Murray @ PlanetThoughtful wrote: [ snipped ] when u upload it name it dynamiccaly by appending date and time before the file name like this 2005050501010-filename.jpg Hi, yes, I'm already doing this. Conflict of filename isn't my issue -- it's whether or not the file should be uploaded at all, in the first place. The difficulty being that you can't examine the file until *after* it has been uploaded. As others have suggested, using an ftp client application is one way to handle it, however, users being users, the feedback has been Why do we need to upload the files via an ftp client, *then* go to the web application and attach the filename to a job entry? Why can't we do it all at once? The answer being, Well, you can, but I bet you're going to be even more annoyed when you've uploaded a huge file via the web application using the POST upload method, only to find that the file is already there. Serves you right for having too many stakeholders in uploading the files, dunnit? Here is one thing you can try. Create a button that (using javascript) passes the name of the file to another script -- which then scans your files directory to see if the file exists already. If it does, it submits an alert or some other indication. You will have to standardize on the file time. I would suggest that you only use the file's meta-data on the server so that users can check when the file was last updated on the server, not on their boxes. Some other information (like last uploaded by) would also be helpful from a user's standpoint. Hope this helps, Burhan -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
RE: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. This is a drawback to our application because the files can typically vary on a daily basis in size from 20mb thru to 400mb, and 400mb seems like a lot of bandwidth to consume to discover that the file already exists on our server. Hmm, sounds like you just want to send something like a hash first Like the SHA1 of the file. So would need ActiveX/Java obect to perform the SHA1 of the file client side first. Send that, if it hasn't been seen then send the whole file. As for other methods... You could try WebDAV and the PUT method. There is a PHP implementation of a WebDAV server in PEAR. Its not form based, but would make it somewhat more easier to upload than using FTP atleast. I believe WinXP can attach directly to them, or use Novells' NetDrive to map a drive letter to the WebDAV server. Jared -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
[PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. This is a drawback to our application because the files can typically vary on a daily basis in size from 20mb thru to 400mb, and 400mb seems like a lot of bandwidth to consume to discover that the file already exists on our server. I had hoped there was a way in which I could retrieve stats of the file being uploaded prior to beginning the upload, to compare against files in the target directory, so that the application can advise the user that the file already exists and to give them the option to cancel the upload. Another minor drawback is that it seems the Post upload method changes the file datetime to the datetime of the upload. So, can anyone confirm that there is no other way to upload files from a client machine using a form? (and assuming they don't have an ftp server at their end). Much warmth, Murray
Re: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Hello Murray, Sunday, May 8, 2005, 9:20:58 PM, you wrote: MP So, can anyone confirm that there is no other way to upload files MP from a client machine using a form? (and assuming they don't have MP an ftp server at their end). Forms can only POST (or GET, but we'll ignore that for now) data. That's it. Welcome to the HTTP protocol, I'm afraid there is no getting around this. You can try using a signed Java applet to allow local uploading, otherwise teach the end users how to use FTP clients? Your options run out right about here. PHP being a server side language can only deal with a file once it hits the server, if you want to check files client side before they're uploaded, you need a client side language. Best regards, Richard Davey -- http://www.launchcode.co.uk - PHP Development Services I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them. - Isaac Asimov -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
Re: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Murray @ PlanetThoughtful wrote: Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. This is a drawback to our application because the files can typically vary on a daily basis in size from 20mb thru to 400mb, and 400mb seems like a lot of bandwidth to consume to discover that the file already exists on our server. I had hoped there was a way in which I could retrieve stats of the file being uploaded prior to beginning the upload, to compare against files in the target directory, so that the application can advise the user that the file already exists and to give them the option to cancel the upload. PHP script starts once the upload is finished, but this is not true for some other languages, for example perl. Another minor drawback is that it seems the Post upload method changes the file datetime to the datetime of the upload. Browsers don't send file's modificaton time, so it's not available. So, can anyone confirm that there is no other way to upload files from a client machine using a form? (and assuming they don't have an ftp server at their end). Cliens need ftp client software, some sort is for sure installed on every machine. -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
Re: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
JavaScript *might* let the user choose a file and get its modification date/time... And then you could upload pieces of it at a time via JavaScript, I think. Incredibly inefficient, most likely, but you *COULD* You may want to just give the users training in some EZ ftp client, freely available. At any rate, it's unlikely that PHP will fit in to your solution for the features you need... On Sun, May 8, 2005 1:20 pm, Murray @ PlanetThoughtful said: Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. This is a drawback to our application because the files can typically vary on a daily basis in size from 20mb thru to 400mb, and 400mb seems like a lot of bandwidth to consume to discover that the file already exists on our server. I had hoped there was a way in which I could retrieve stats of the file being uploaded prior to beginning the upload, to compare against files in the target directory, so that the application can advise the user that the file already exists and to give them the option to cancel the upload. Another minor drawback is that it seems the Post upload method changes the file datetime to the datetime of the upload. So, can anyone confirm that there is no other way to upload files from a client machine using a form? (and assuming they don't have an ftp server at their end). Much warmth, Murray -- Like Music? http://l-i-e.com/artists.htm -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
Re: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Hi, On 5/9/05, Murray @ PlanetThoughtful [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. Instead use the dynamic file names say you upload a file filename.jpg when u upload it name it dynamiccaly by appending date and time before the file name like this 2005050501010-filename.jpg This is a drawback to our application because the files can typically vary on a daily basis in size from 20mb thru to 400mb, and 400mb seems like a lot of bandwidth to consume to discover that the file already exists on our server. I had hoped there was a way in which I could retrieve stats of the file being uploaded prior to beginning the upload, to compare against files in the target directory, so that the application can advise the user that the file already exists and to give them the option to cancel the upload. Another minor drawback is that it seems the Post upload method changes the file datetime to the datetime of the upload. So, can anyone confirm that there is no other way to upload files from a client machine using a form? (and assuming they don't have an ftp server at their end). Much warmth, Murray -- bala balachandar muruganantham blog lynx http://chandar.blogspot.com web http://www.chennaishopping.com -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
RE: [PHP] Any alternative to POST method FTP uploads from client computer?
Hi, On 5/9/05, Murray @ PlanetThoughtful [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All, I need to implement the ability to ftp upload files from client machines via a form in a web application I'm developing. From reading the PHP help, all I can find to perform this is the POST method for handling file uploads (http://au2.php.net/manual/en/features.file-upload.php). From my perspective, while this seems to work, there are a couple of drawbacks, most important of which is that it seems you can only do comparisons of the uploaded file, against the potential that the file has already been uploaded, once the file has already been uploaded and is sitting in the server temp directory. Instead use the dynamic file names say you upload a file filename.jpg when u upload it name it dynamiccaly by appending date and time before the file name like this 2005050501010-filename.jpg Hi, yes, I'm already doing this. Conflict of filename isn't my issue -- it's whether or not the file should be uploaded at all, in the first place. The difficulty being that you can't examine the file until *after* it has been uploaded. As others have suggested, using an ftp client application is one way to handle it, however, users being users, the feedback has been Why do we need to upload the files via an ftp client, *then* go to the web application and attach the filename to a job entry? Why can't we do it all at once? The answer being, Well, you can, but I bet you're going to be even more annoyed when you've uploaded a huge file via the web application using the POST upload method, only to find that the file is already there. Serves you right for having too many stakeholders in uploading the files, dunnit? Sometimes, you just can't win. Not that I don't understand the practicalities involved, but this one feature would have been nice. Regards, Murray -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
