Download Rather Than View

If the file has an extension that the client browser recognizes, it will display and not ask for 'download' option. Its about browser configuration and you cannot change it.

One possible way is to ZIP the file(dont need to compress) so that the file type ZIP would not try to display but will ask to 'save as' option.

Or else you could give instructions to right click on the hyperlink select the "Save target as..." option.

It's actually about server configuration I believe, and if I am not mistaken it has something to do with the MIME types.  I've never tried changing them so I'm not really sure what would be invovled.  

let me look for more info

I tried using type='application/octet-stream' in the code where I specified a mime type that the browser would not open, didnt work for me =o(. Maybe I did it wrong or it jsut has to be done server side. Here's a PHP way of doing it

<?php

header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');

?>

Good Luck,
Nick

If you use Apache you can setup your .htaccess file to serve .txt files with a MIME that will force it to be downloaded. I would recommend application/octet-stream since it is the same used for .exe files and chances are people's computers wont open them without thier permission. This is the HTACCESS code to use....

AddType application/octet-stream .txt

do keep in mind all subdirectories with .txt files will be given this MIME so only put this HTACCESS file in a seperate directory with the file, so to not cause a headache when having to view plain .txt files.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20029689/Forcing-a-download.html

ldbkutty thats the same answer I jsut gave =oP but using Apache instead of IIS, go check out the accepted answer. Take care! =o)

Regards,
Nick

Actually, i didn't noticed your previous post CrYpTiC MauleR ... moreover, there are other suggestions in the link like using ZIP method is simpler..

Just thought Ktoshni might get some more information from the link.

:-)

here's some ASP that will work....


file.asp
=====================================
<%

fileToDownload = Request.QueryString("toDown")
getPathOnServer = Server.MapPath(fileToDownload)

Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream" 'Suggest opening a download window
Response.AddHeader "content-disposition","attachment; filename=" & fileToDownload

Set adostream = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Stream")
adostream.Open()
adostream.Type = 1
adostream.LoadFromFile(getPathOnServer)
Response.BinaryWrite adostream.Read()
adostream.Close
%>
======================================



on your page, link to the above file.asp like so:


<a href="/file.asp?toDown=document.txt">link</a>





hope that helps,


bruno

k just checking =o), but quick question, wouldnt a zip method need the client to have some zip program installed on thier comp? If not then using .blahness should also work. Never tested out a zip way so dont know if it requires the program on the client side. Lataz!

Thanks for ur comments so far. We use JSPs on our server so can convert the page to a JSP if need be. The solutions you've given seem to be for ASP is there one for JSPs too?

On another note changing settings on the server is not an option. If possible it must be done through the page.

CrYpTiC_MauleR (its hard to type ur login name :-) )

Even if the Client have ZIP program installed, it wont open directly ...it will display 'Download Dialog Box' only..

Compress programs like ZIP/RAR will function like that....You can try to download any ZIP/RAR files from any of the sites if you have installed the compress softwares.

:-)

yeah but that would involve the user then having to change the file extension once they downloaded to view in text editor right?

<%@ page contentType="application/octet-stream" %>

O.o
  -

My suggestion was to put the text file in a zip file; not to compress it but to make it a file type that the browser won't try and display. Then after unzipping it will be in TEXT format.

but if the client does not have a zip program what do they do?

As stated in the link i posted,

> The zip is probably the easiest and best option.

>>>I can't be the only one who's run into this problem...

>You aren't and the solution is generally to use a zip or get into a more complex solution with scripting or messing around with the server.

If the client doesn't have any compress softwares, then ofcourse, its not possible to open.

But i assume that any user who has connected to internet would have Compression software program, as most available softwares in the world are available in Compressed formats only to be able to download.

Ktoshni,

I'm not familiar with JSP but it looks like Cryptic has the syntax you need here:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21001243/Download-Rather-Than-View.html#11152561


If you know JSP and can muddle your way through what my ASP is doing here :

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21001243/Download-Rather-Than-View.html#11152410


Then you should be able to duplicate it...

Download a file instead of opening it. IE only and assuming you have ASP capabilities:
<%@Language="JScript"%>
<%
var myFSO = new ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
var objFile = myFSO.openTextFile(Server.MapPath("/path/somefile.txt"));
var str = new String(objFile.readAll());
Response.ContentType = 'application/unknown';
Response.addHeader('content-disposition', 'attachment;filename=somefile.txt');
Response.Write(str);
%>

Cd&

wow Cd&, server side scripting from you??  ;-)

I know a few bits and pieces because every once in a while I have to do stuff with Intel based toys running IIS.  Fortuantely on the real servers we have mainframe strength generation tools that let us do whatever we want, in a sane and safe way.

Cd&

yes yes, we know you are better than the rest of the world...  :-)

Sorry guys, tried the various things suggested but still no joy :(

must be a JSP thing then, because the ASP code posted here was tested and proven to work....sorry i don't know how to convert it.
 https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21001243/Download-Rather-Than-View.html#11152410

In fact there are TWO problems:
- getting the server to send an octet-stream, so that the browser doens not display it directly -this is something that maybe controlled at the server side.
- when the browser gets an octet-stream, it asks what to do with it: open or download; the only way to escape this question to be asked is to define "local filetype" as being permanently donwloaded or opened; I would NOT recommend to permanently download txt files.

The simplest way is:
1. Zipping it....(not compressing) Or,
2. Specifying 'Right Click and Save Target As'

Complex way (or innovative way) is to Code for it in JSP....(even most of us require one such thing)

Let us know what have you done to get the result.....

Simplest:

<a href="textfile.txt"
onClick="alert('Please right-click and save');
return false">Text file</a>

Michel

PAQ it please.  Usful reference but no definitive solution.

Cd&

No points refunded here - question was abanded by the asker, not the experts.


bruno

Also good