Image Uploader Flash Architecture
What is Image Uploader Flash?
Image Uploader Flash is the solution intended to make mass file upload easier. It is simply embedded into HTML code of your web page and does not require end-user to download and install it manually. A modern appearance and intuitive user interface make Image Uploader Flash attractive for end-users as well as clear for computer novices. Here is a common workflow to upload files with Image Uploader Flash:
- Users visit a page where Image Uploader Flash resides and select as many files as they want via a standard Open File dialog.
- When all the files are added, they click Upload.
- Image Uploader Flash prepares a HTTP POST request with user-selected files and additional data and sends it to the server page specified in its settings. This page receives and processes the request and performs any other upload-related actions.
- Progress bar with estimated remaining upload time is shown during the upload process; users always know the upload time, and they can always stop the upload if it takes too long.
Additionally, Image Uploader Flash is able to apply automatic client-side data optimization before sending it. For instance, it can resize images and compress files to ZIP archives. This way the add-on reduces traffic, uploading time, and server disk amount used to store your data.
The figure below demonstrates Image Uploader Flash architecture:
Let us consider its main parts in detail.
How Does It Work Client-Side?
On the client-side, Image Uploader Flash consists of the Flash control
(aurigma.imageuploaderflash.swf) which implements
a common functionality, namely, user interface for selecting and sorting files, pre-upload
file processing, and sending files via HTTP POST request.
Image Uploader Flash JavaScript loads the Flash control and provides an API for configuring Image Uploader Flash and manipulating it at runtime, i.e. change properties, call methods, and handle events. Image Uploader Flash JavaScript also helps to debug integration of the control with your web service by displaying notifications if some parameters have inconsistent values. These notifications can be disabled when you are ready to go live with your web site. Find details in the Using Image Uploader Flash at Runtime article.
How Does It Work Server-Side?
Since Image Uploader Flash sends files and data in HTTP POST request, the server-side part is represented with a web server which hosts your application. This server performs all the upload-related tasks, such as receiving and saving uploaded files to necessary folders, updating a database, sending email notifications, and etc. In a word, this part implements the internal logic of your application which uses Image Uploader Flash.
When developing this part you may implement your own upload script which will parse the POST request received from Image Uploader Flash. In this case you can use any server platform which is able to receive HTTP POST request. Another way is to use Image Uploader Flash ASP.NET or Image Uploader Flash PHP. They both get the uploaded data, parse it, and provide a typed access to files and text fields on the server side. The built-in autosave feature allows you to create your upload solution without writing a line of code. Refer the Saving Uploaded Files in ASP.NET or Saving Uploaded Files in PHP topic depending on the platform you are going to use Image Uploader Flash with.
Image Uploader Flash ASP.NET
Image Uploader Flash ASP.NET is set of ASP.NET server controls which allow to deploy and configure Image Uploader Flash in Microsoft Visual Studio in design mode. Moreover, it significantly simplifies handling uploaded data and saves you the trouble of parsing POST request yourself. The Quick Start with Image Uploader Flash ASP.NET topic gives outlook on how to use it in your web solution.
Image Uploader Flash PHP
Image Uploader Flash PHP implements almost the same functionality and offers the same advantages as Image Uploader Flash ASP.NET. It allows PHP developers to work with Image Uploader Flash in a usual way as with a common PHP object. Find detailed information in the Quick Start with Image Uploader Flash PHP topic.