How to write to a *.txt file.

[vmars316]

Greetings;How to write to a *.txt file, Browser independent.I can read it into iFrame: (not sure about TextArea though) <iframe src="vmars.txt" style="float: right; width: 260px; height: 130px; margin-left: 12px; border: 1px solid black;" name="#vmarsTXT"></iframe>but how to write it back out? Into *.txt . Not into Cookies, but a real *.txt file.Thanks...vmars

[ShadowMage]

Far as I know, JavaScript can't write to any kind of file (except cookies). You'd need a server-side language for that.

[vmars316]

Far as I know, JavaScript can't write to any kind of file (except cookies). You'd need a server-side language for that.

1) Can a server-side language run on client-side?2) If so, which ones? Browser independent?3) I guess I want to rePhrase my request:"How to write to a *.txt file, FROM a TEXTAREA and/or FROM an iFrame"? 4) Since my original request, I did find this(untested):var fso,filefso = newActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")file=fso.CreateTextFile("C:\\a.txt")file.close(); 5) But I want to write the 'whole text' FROM a TEXTAREA and/or FROM an iFrame,NOT just one line. If I have to write a line at a time, Can TEXTAREA and iFrame be accessed by index. Thanks...vmars

[thescientist]

that's why its called a server-side scripting language...it only runs off the server.You would probably want to use AJAX to pass off the value of the textarea (by using Javascript - which runs on the client side) and use PHP (or something similar) to write to a file on the server.edit: now that I think about it, you don't need to use AJAX. Simply using PHP for everything would work, even as simple as a form passing lots of text to a PHP file set to receive the text and write to the appropriate file on the server.

[ShadowMage]

You would probably want to use AJAX to pass off the value of the textarea (by using Javascript - which runs on the client side) and use PHP (or something similar) to write to a file on the server.

Which I think you can then pass back to JavaScript and read the contents with JavaScript.

[Ingolme]

You aren't allowed to write files onto the client computer, for the simple reason that it would allow anybody to put viruses on your computer from any website.

[thescientist]

oh yeah, I just noticed that in his post

var fso,filefso = newActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")[b]file=fso.CreateTextFile("C:\\a.txt")[/b]file.close();

yeah, you can't do that.

[justsomeguy]

With the right settings IE on Windows will run that code, but the only use for something like that would be an application you're writing for yourself, not for others.

[vmars316]

.but the only use for something like that would be an application you're writing for yourself, not for others.

Yes, that's exaclty what I want to do, Locally. But for all Browsers!The next best thing is ClipBoard. But I haven't yet found a way to make ClipBoard 'Browser independent'.Do you know of a way?So, I think that leaves 'Save stuff via cookies'. Which seem to be Browser independent.Am I right about that?Thanks...vmars316

[thescientist]

are you sure you understood JSG's post? I think what he's saying is you can't do it through a browser; however IE will, but only if it's an application running locally, on someone's computer. (not via the web in a browser).

[justsomeguy]

The only browser-independent way to save a file to someone's computer is to bounce it off a server-side script that can send download headers, and then the user picks if they want to save or open it.

[Synook]

Note that all browsers keep their own set of cookies.

[ApocalypeX]

You would want to use AJAX but you would require a PHP page to write it to the file.