How can I 'force download' a file that has been generated entirely in Flash?

Question

If I'm generating a binary file inside Flash Player, how do I pop up a 'Save' dialog for the file without sending it up the the server first?

I'm sure I heard this was a new feature in Flash 10.

Cheers,
James

Answer 1

If you are inside the flash player, you can do the following:

import flash.net.FileReference;
import flash.utils.ByteArray;

var fileReference:FileReference = new FileReference();

var data:ByteArray; // load up your data into this ByteArray

fileReference.save(data, "outputfile.dat");

This will not work if you are running in the browser-- at least as far as I remember, but if you are in the flash player this will work.

The FileReference.save() method will popup a dialog for the user to choose where to save the file, so the filename given is just a suggested filename.

Edit: See Technomaag's comment below also if you're having problems

Answer 2

This will help, and really show you how to do it, all you have to keep in mind is that opening and saving files can only be done with user initiation, it cannot be automated, so not sure what you are trying to do, but this will help:

http://www.mikechambers.com/blog/2008/08/20/reading-and-writing-local-files-in-flash-player-10/