Can You Dig This Problem ????

kimberlc

Alright fellow geeks here it is..

I have a form to upload files..

BEFORE files are uploaded, I want to check the file names being uploaded with filenames in a database using PHP. Not javascript.

So, how to do this ?

Is it possible to submit another form (containing hidden text boxes whose values take on the filenames via javascript) to a pop up. Then have the popup perform the checks agains the DB.

After the check, the popup would report that you cannot upload the files, or it would tell the parent form to submit them.

Any ideas ? Can any of this be done ?

gufmn

Why do you need another form. Couldn't you just have an array (database info) as the value of a hidden field, then when the form is posted check the file name against the values in the array?

Keep in mind, I believe the file will still upload as soon as it's submitted. If you want to check the file name before it's uploaded you'll prolly have to do that with javascript.

Btw, if you're just trying to make sure you don't have duplicate file names, nevermind. But if you're trying to prevent certain types of files from being uploaded, use mime_content_type .
It will actually look at the file type regardless of what extension it has.

devinemke

Originally posted by kimberlc
BEFORE files are uploaded, I want to check the file names being uploaded with filenames in a database using PHP. Not javascript.

PHP (which runs on the server) cannot do anything with the form data before the form is submitted (while it is still on the client). You basically have 2 choices:

in your form processing code simply use the uploaded filename (in the $_FILES array) and query your db to see if the uploaded file is valid.
pull all the filenames from your db first and spit them out to the client along with the form as javascript vars and do your filename validation routine cleint side.

option #1 is the better way, particularly if the names of the allowed/not allowed files need to be kept secure.

kimberlc

I think I have it figured out guys... Thanx for the replies, but here lies the problem.

Can't upload the files to the server, then check using PHP.. if it takes 2 hours to upload then find out that they are duplicate files so the process is stopped, that's just to user unfriendly..

Can't use javascript, potentially there might be a thousand filenames that I have to load in javascript, and compare against.. (or more files!) And java script will taxi your browser, especially if your pc is slower..

So, here is what I think will work.. Again..
use 2 forms.. one contains the files.. the other contains hidden boxes... when I press upload, javascript will fill the hidden boxes with the file names after parsing the path..

Then, the form with hidden boxes submits to popups.. Voila ! popup has the filenames and can be processed with php...

then, if no duplicates are detected, the popup can access javascript functions on the parent that will submit the form with the files... If this works I think it will be quite usefull for many applications..

Thoughts ?

Weedpacket

Originally posted by kimberlc
So, here is what I think will work.. Again..
use 2 forms.. one contains the files.. the other contains hidden boxes... when I press upload, javascript will fill the hidden boxes with the file names after parsing the path......

Um, in principle that would work (you might want to look at using Javascript-based RPC) - assuming Javascript can get those file names. But...

Can't use javascript, potentially there might be a thousand filenames that I have to load in javascript, and compare against.. (or more files!) And java script will taxi your browser, especially if your pc is slower..

You're back in exactly the same situation.