Click on a link and open the download dialog box. HOW?

AlexP

When you attempt to download a zip file, you simply click on the download link, and a pop up window opens to confirm your download and choose directory.

For .sql or .txt files this is not the case. When I set a link
e.g ( <a href="backup.txt">Download file</a> ) it gets displayed in a new window.

What I want is to download the file and not display it on the browser. What HTML code do I need for that?

Thank you

Alex

epimeth

I think that just depends on what browser is being used... if someone wants to download it they'll have to choose "save target as..."

jpmoriarty

you need to send a header:

If you want the user to be prompted to save the data you are sending, such as a generated PDF file, you can use the Content-Disposition header to supply a recommended filename and force the browser to display the save dialog.
<?php
// We'll be outputting a PDF
header("Content-type: application/pdf");

// It will be called downloaded.pdf
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=downloaded.pdf");

// The PDF source is in original.pdf
readfile('original.pdf');
?>

AlexP

Thank you jpmoriarty and epimeth

But jpmoriarty your idea doesn't seem to work here.

It prompts me the downlaod dialog box but the file being downloaded is the running .php page itslef.

Any ideas?

Alex

jpmoriarty

well in this case i'd do something like:
(call this file download.php with get variable file = backup.txt, ie download.php&file=backup.txt)

<?php
// We'll be outputting a PDF
header("Content-type: application/txt");

// It will be called downloaded.pdf
// Note this is the name that windows will try to call the file once
// the "save" dialogue is displayed - ie the name it will try
// to save the file under on the users computer
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=backup.txt");

// The PDF source is in original.pdf
$file = $_GET['file']
readfile('$file');
?>

cakkafracle

YOU are BEAUTIFUL man!

Simply ravishing!

Thanks!

Pests

What if someone does something like this: download.php&file=../../../../config.php

You get the idea. Just make sure you check it.