File Upload

[marc_gfx]

I'm currently using simple forms to upload files. added some nice code to allow zip-file upload that are then decompressed and handled individually. works fine on my development-machine but can't get it to work on my live system, due to limitations in the system and not available packages supporting zip... wasted tons of time...

however, I was simply wondering what you guys use for file-upload. java-applications seem like a good idea, but the ones I found always have rather restrictive licensing (only one domain, but my site is intended to support a lot more).

coding an application myself would be an option, but that doesn't massively appeal to me currently. A lot of work and I'm sure there's something far better than what I would put together in a week... any suggestions? I also need handling-freedom on the server-side, what could make things a little complicated... maybe something open-source?

[cwboaze]

I would use php in a file uploading solution. Dynamic like I want it and building in gzip, or tons of zip functions. I always do it by hand!, for me it's faster than buying software.

[marc_gfx]

I want to handle:
gallery upload (preferrably many images, preferrably rescaling before upload)
file upload (cool would be zip before transmission, unzip on receiving)

I am currently using php and http upload.

I never bought software for webstuff so far, but I kind of fear it could take a lot of time to produce something really userfriendly.

[cwboaze]

for remaping the images I like using GD.

I agree upload zip, transfer then unzip.

and gallery upload, you mean select a directory and
it upload what inside of that directory based on the name of each folder or are you talking about manually image uploading like a image host does.

I live by php!.

I hear of a few that would save you time, but if I am that busy I better be rich. lol!

[lordspace]

after upload you may need to start a command to unzip the file.

possible options.

#1
system('unzip some_tmp_file.zip');
or `unzip some_tmp_file.zip`
if zip external linux command is not available you might check check gzip/gunzip linux commands.

#2 http://pear.php.net/package/Archive_Zip

[marc_gfx]

thanks lordspace. good idea! I've used the system command before but was too stupid to make that simple connection :S ... will give it a go with zipping again, maybe I can even make a simple applet to group files into a zip before uploading. would be pretty cool.

[lordspace]

Why mixing languages ?
you just need multiple upload buttons.

[marc_gfx]

I could be mistaken, but form uploads have quite a few drawbacks:
- no progress bar
- php has a time-out, so if you upload a lot at once the script could be broken. or it just takes ages and the user doesn't know whats going on

pro of an applet:
- an applet would allow to resize images before uploading
- compressed data saves bandwidth

[lordspace]

You can fix timeout by setting set_time_limit(0) (if safe mode is off).
I usually set this to something big (24 * 3600 = 1 day), not unlimited because this is software and may/will contain errors

Progress bar can be accomplished with AJAX I've seen some solutions.

There are rare situations that languages will restrict you to do something.
Some languages are better than others because they have different goals.
For example: if you try to generate a page using Delphi and PHP. For web pages PHP is better, but on the other side if you try to create quick and nice Windows application Delphi will do the job.

You decide what to do.

[cwboaze]

well said, it all comes down to what you want done. Your Styles and Taste on things.