Allow IE interaction to trigger execution of local code client-side

Question

I want to allow interaction on a trusted webpage to trigger execution of code on the client. The users will be using IE as web browser. The code files to be executed will be available on the client. The method interface of the local code files will be known to the webpage. This could for example be used to save data from the browser to a predefined file on the client or any other action defined in the local code files.

All other code will be written using c# and aspx.

What would be the proper way (or the easy way?) to do this?

Answer 1

Unless you have a desire to dig into ActiveX, I fear IE doesn't provide any other interface to manipulate underlying levels in the system.

It wouldn't be safe for the client at all.

Answer 2

Can't tell you exactly. Firstly what comes to my mind is Developing a browser plugin or Google Gears.

I think Google Gears allows to create and access files locally through browser.

Answer 3

One easy way to do this for intranet apps is to write an IE extension that implements a URL scheme (for example myapp://blahblahblah) and install it on client computers. Then your webapp can contain links that use that scheme. The extension that implements the scheme can interpret it to communicate with applications installed on the client machine.