Uploaded filename, before CFFile

Thanks, I've tried hunting through the CGI scope but using ColdFusion 8 the request body (usually used for the post variables) is always empty. This is due to a setting to stop extremely large uploads from being held in memory.

I had thought about hunting through the getPageContext().getRequest() or other areas in that function but since finding out that the contents isn't held I guess it wouldn't be stored in there either.

I just feel like there's an extra step that's involved for little reason with file uploads in ColdFusion that could be avoided if there was some access to the original filename.

For exampe:
* Validating the file extension, as you'd want to know it's a valid file before moving it.
* Uploading files to the database. You can do a <cffile action="readbinary" file="#form.file#" variable="blob" /> to get the uploaded file (without bothering with action="upload" at all) and store it in a database. One less step but currently you lose the original filename.

I guess that unless someone knows where the real filename is hidden I'll be all out of luck.

elpestybandito wrote:
> I haven't a clue where to start.
>
> Please help :)

Start by understanding the HTTP request/response client/server process.

1) A user viewing a form in a browser selects a file to be uploaded and
submits the form. The browser reads the file from the user's system and
puts it into the request which then it sends to the web server.

2) The web server receives the request, takes the file from the request
and writes it to a temporary location on the server. It then passes the
request on to ColdFusion telling it where the temporary file is located.

3) ColdFusion then does what you request it to do with the file
according the the <cffile...> and other CFML instructions.

Understanding this process you can see what you ask is impossible and
does not make sense. You can not process the file name on the server
before the file is sent because the browser does not send this
information ahead of the file it sends the entire file, name and all,
when the form action request is made.

Your interceptions points are on the client, which requires some kind of
client side technology such as JavaScript.

In the web server. Some of which offer some type of scripting
capabilities that may do what you want.

In the Application Sever, i.e. ColdFusion. This is the easiest and best
practice and should always be done. Even if you do a client side option
, such as JavaScript, you will want to back it up with a Server Side
solution for just the reason you mentioned. Client side code and be
messed with and circumvented.

look at #cffile.clientFile# I would start by doing a <cfdump var="#FILE#"> and <cfdump var="#CFFILE#"> Then you can look at all the properties of the two structs and decide what you are actually looking for. CFDump and CFAbort are two of your best friends when you start moving into new waters....