Javascript question

[i]

I know nothing about Javascript's capabilities. Is it possible to create a simple webpage that can delete or rename a file when a user clicks on a button?

 

[Buck]

A client side file or server side file?

 

[Will Rickards WT]

Depends.
IE Only, then maybe.
Otherwise, javascript does not have access to the filesystem.
IE's JScript has a FileSystemObject that can access the filesystem.

 

[Buck]

Would VBscript be more robust for this type of action?

 

[i]

An example/more info if it's helpful:

A user has a file with a known name, say "stooges.txt". This file is sitting in a precisely known location, say "C:\Info\". Say I want to change the filename to "3_stooges.txt"

In this example, I'd like (and this may not be possible) to generate an HTML page that would include a button to rename C:\Info\stooges.txt to C:\Info\3_stooges.txt

Generating an HTML document is not the problem - I can do that and embed the desired file names and location. My question is, is there even some kind of HTML document I can build in the first place that will allow a file to be renamed by having a user click on a button under these circumstances?

Maybe I could do this in Java. But then, in this situation Internet Explorer is what I'm forced to deal with, and I'm not sure that means "real" Java is an option.

 

[Fushigi]

I truly hope that you cannot do this via a browser. Think of the repercussions if clicking a link could rename a file.

 

[i]

Yes, that's exactly what I thought at first Fushigi. But then I remembered that this is a Windows + IE environment, and figured it might therefore even be possible for Javascript to obtain your social security number and a DNA sample. Renaming a file seemed like a minimal possibility.

 

[Will Rickards WT]

There are these hta things that can do it I think.
You might also research the FileSystemObject in JScript.
http://msdn.microsoft.com

This is all IE only stuff though.

 

[Handruin]

Are you absolutly stuck using javascript? If you want to do this server-side, I know php has the ability to rename files with the rename() function. I could even write it for you if you want.

 

[Will Rickards WT]

Mods - move this topic to Tech Support or Computers forum.

 

[i]

Are you absolutly stuck using javascript? If you want to do this server-side, I know php has the ability to rename files with the rename() function. I could even write it for you if you want.

Thanks for the offer Handruin (I would have taken you up on it), but doing something server-side isn't an option, because there is no server in this case. It'd just be a single HTML/Javascript/JScript/VBScript/Whateverscript document hanging out with a bunch of files that (may) need renaming.

This is something I could solve easily with a C++ or VB program, but installing software requires going through a few hoops (fascist admins).

Heck, even a batch file could do it, except I need a human to see ... umm ... things ... before they decide whether to click on the "rename the file" button.

Will: I took a quick look at the FileSystemObject in JScript, and that seems promising.

I'll give something a try and let you know if I have any success. Thanks all.

 

[ddrueding]

So just to be clear, the file to be renamed and the HTML (or whatever) are sitting in the same directory and will be executed locally?

 

[i]

So just to be clear, the file to be renamed and the HTML (or whatever) are sitting in the same directory and will be executed locally?

Yes.

(I love short answers )