TransmitFile is not working

Question

I have a file, and it is full path (plus the file name) is in this variable:

fileTemporary

i want to download that file to the client.

i do this:

 HttpContext.Current.Response.TransmitFile(fileTemporary);

but nothing happen, i mean when i click the button, this file executes, but nothing is being downloaded to the client. i don't see any file on the browser of the client.

what mistake did i do please?

Have you set a breakpoint on this line to be sure it gets hit? Does `fileTemporary` exist and have you specified the path correctly? Does your website/application have rights to that file and directory? Is the file empty? — Bob Kaufman, Sep 05 '15 at 14:35
What browser are you using? I'd use either something like FireBug, IE's F12 network monitor, or Fiddler to see what is actually being sent to your browser. I'd do that after confirming you receive no errors on the C# side. — dmeglio, Sep 05 '15 at 14:35
@BobKaufman yes i did a breakpint and it reaches there. and yes fileTemporary exist. and first I didn't have the permision, so i was getting error that i don't have permission to that file, but then i made that file for all users and then i see that nothing is being downloaded — Marco Dinatsoli, Sep 05 '15 at 14:37
When you say "full path", are you talking physical path on the server? (That's what it should be, not a URL to the file) — freefaller, Sep 05 '15 at 14:37
@freefaller i meant full path on the server, like `c:\user\marco\.....myfile` — Marco Dinatsoli, Sep 05 '15 at 14:39
@MarcoDinatsoli then use Chrome's network monitor to see what the browser is receiving. See if the file contents is there. Also, hopefully not the case - you're sure the file isn't empty, right? — dmeglio, Sep 05 '15 at 14:40
@dman2306 i see now, there is this error `Uncaught Sys.WebForms.PageRequestManagerParserErrorException: Sys.WebForms.PageRequestManagerParserErrorException: The message received from the server could not be parsed.` on the console. could you help please? — Marco Dinatsoli, Sep 05 '15 at 14:42
It seems to rather be a client script error than a problem with TransmitFile. You should rework your question — Simon Mourier, Sep 05 '15 at 14:48

Anton Norko · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-05T15:01:09.860

1

If you use MVC you can:

[HttpGet]
        public virtual ActionResult GetFile(string fileTemporary)
        {
            // ...preparing file path... init fileTemporary.

            var bytes = System.IO.File.ReadAllBytes(fileTemporary);
            var fileContent = new FileContentResult(bytes, "binary/octet-stream");
            Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=\"YourFileName.txt\"");

            return fileContent;
        }

If you use ASP.NET or whatever you can use following (sorry, my old code, but you can understand approach):

var bytes = System.IO.File.ReadAllBytes(fileTemporary);
SendFileBytesToResponse(bytes, fileName);

public static bool SendFileBytesToResponse(byte[] bytes, string sFileName)
        {
            if (bytes!= null)
            {
                string downloadName = sFileName;
                System.Web.HttpResponse response = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response;
                response.Clear();
                response.AddHeader("Content-Type", "binary/octet-stream");
                response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition",
                                   "attachment; filename=" + downloadName + "; size=" + bytes.Length.ToString());
                response.Flush();
                response.BinaryWrite(bytes);
                response.Flush();
                response.End();
            }

            return true;
        }

Without reingeneering your solution:

System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.Clear();

System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.AddHeader("Content-Type", "binary/octet-stream");
System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition",
                "attachment; filename=" + fileName);  

System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.TransmitFile(fileName);

If you would like browser to interpret you file right, you will need to specify header "Content-Type" more precise. Please see list of content types

edited Sep 05 '15 at 15:01

answered Sep 05 '15 at 14:45

Anton Norko

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first what is pdfByte? second pleasei have a specific question, i didn't ask for re engineer my solution. – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 14:47
using your code, i get this error `Uncaught Sys.WebForms.PageRequestManagerParserErrorException: Sys.WebForms.PageRequestManagerParserErrorException: The message received from the server could not be parsed.` – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 14:48
Marco, browser need http headers. This way browser can interpret stream. – Anton Norko Sep 05 '15 at 14:51
could you add them please? – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 14:54
Please review my answer, it have solution without reingeneering of your approach. – Anton Norko Sep 05 '15 at 14:55
i still have the same exception , culd you help please – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 15:29
@MarcoDinatsoli Can you provide me with working example of your project as a proof of concept? – Anton Norko Sep 05 '15 at 15:33
i can give you access to my machine if you would like – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 15:38
? can u please access ? – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 15:46
@MarcoDinatsoli we can do this via Team Viewer. See my Skype ID in my profile please – Anton Norko Sep 05 '15 at 15:46
check you email please, i have sent u something :) – Marco Dinatsoli Sep 05 '15 at 17:19

TransmitFile is not working

1 Answers1