Can javascript be used to write to a file ? Sorry restate that (Can javascript be used to write to a file on the web server it is hosted on? ).
+1
A:
Not cross-compatibly, unless you do certain trickery. A trusted applet, for example, has complete access to the user's file system, and it can expose javascript methods. Expose a write method in a trusted applet, and you're good to go.
Stefan Kendall
2010-01-21 21:36:30
+1 for creatively working the issue.
Beska
2010-01-21 21:44:39
I may or may not have abused this method in the past. It's scary how much control an applet can get.
Stefan Kendall
2010-01-21 22:50:09
+3
A:
They used to call cookies "really small files on your computer", so I say: "Yes, yes it can."
update based on edit
Yes, you have to use AJAX to call a web service on the web server.
Hogan
2010-01-21 21:37:47
Creative (and true), but probably not what the op wanted. +1 for creativity and a literal answer.
Stefan Kendall
2010-01-21 21:38:44
+2
A:
It can if the "file" is a cookie. I will leave research on that up to the reader.
Mark Schultheiss
2010-01-21 21:38:21
+1
A:
No. if you need to store data on the client, you can use cookies, Google Gears, or the client-side storage supported by modern browsers like firefox and safari.
The YUI Storage Utility is a nice cross-browser wrapper around these methods.
Gabe Moothart
2010-01-21 21:39:04
+1 for trying to work the problem (with a lack of information about what is exactly required) rather than just give a simple "no" (or "yes, if it's a cookie").
Beska
2010-01-21 21:43:56
+1
A:
On it's own, no.. at least without exploiting browser / plugin vulnerabilities.
Since you clarified your question:
It can be used to do an ajax call to a server-side script which would then write a file into the file system.
code_burgar
2010-01-21 21:41:10
A:
Javascript cannot directly write to a file on the webserver on which it is hosted. If it is required, you can use something like an XMLHttpRequest object to communicate your means to a serverside script (like PHP or Python), which will then do the write.
Javascript code is executed on the client side. It does not directly have access to your server.
zneak
2010-01-21 21:43:06
A:
It depends on a platform. Some platforms (like Windows), allow javascript to access filesystem (in Windows - via FileSystemObject ActiveX object). But client's browser security settings must be adjusted to allow this.
alemjerus
2010-01-21 21:49:23