Verify Validity of file before Downloading

[ph8edsicness]

I'm trying to write a script to help a friend out that validates the existence of file and if it exists downloads, otherwise tells the user the file is invalid.

<?php
    $video1 = "conflicting.mpg";

$fp = @fopen("$video1", "r");
if ($fp)
   { print "Valid File!";
     fopen($video1); }
else
   { print "File does not exist!"; }

fclose($fp);
?>

Am I at least on the right track? And if so, will the way it's currently set-up attempt to stream the file or save to disk? I need it to saved to the hard drive.

[cgraz]

check out the function file_exists(). No need to use fopen() on the file.

As for your other question, if they can view .mpg files, then they'll open, not download to hd. I'm not sure if you can force a download (i'm sure you can), maybe someone else can offer some insight on that or searching google might help.

Cgraz

[ph8edsicness]

Ahh okay. I'll look into that file_exists() right now.. if anyone else knows how to force download a file to the hard drive please lemme know. Thanks!

[cyclops]

maybe you could consider a download-applet
this way you always bypass the winnot file-association
provided that your users are allowed to run Java-applets in their browser

check this :
http://www.infomentum.com/appletfile/doc/FileDownload.htm
http://www.infomentum.com/appletfile/doc/index.htm

[ph8edsicness]

I'm avoiding applets because Eventually I want to make the script more elaborate: i.e. checking if the file is valid, available, and if it has been downloaded today and if so deny any other downloads (timer resets every 24hrs)