filehandle - Download file with Perl on form submit -

i trying initiate save dialog on form submit. form pretty simple, i'm using dropzonejs drag , drop file, , looks this:

<form action="action.epl" class="dropzone" id="dropzone" method="post"> </form> 

so when user drops file submits , kicks off action.epl. in action.epl, handle file , gets saved server. i'm trying spit out encrypted version of file. encryption done , have removed make sure not source of problem, problem have can't download server. have following (also in action.epl):

     $filename = 'file.pdf';      $filepath= "/server/path/$filename";       open (file, "<$filepath") or die "can't open : $!";      @fileholder = <file>;      close file;       print "content-type:application/x-downloadn";      print "content-disposition:attachment;filename=$filename";      print @fileholder 

it's doing /something/ because submit takes 5x long did without snippet. thought "save as" dialog nothing happens. this tutorial got info.

edit, have:

     $filename ='file.pdf';      $filepath = "/server/path/$filename";       print "content-type:application/x-download\n";      print "content-disposition:attachment;filename=$filename\n\n";       open file, '<', $filepath or die "can't open: $!";      print while <file>;      close file; 

however, there still no dialog. see have "$" sigil in filehandle. tried too. dont think need right?

i see addressed typo in tutorial.

"content-type:application/x-downloadn"

should "content-type: application/x-download\n", specify type of content "application/x-download" , "\n" end line of header field.

after that, you're getting how browser handles response. if provide content-disposition:attachment;filename=$filename header, you're asserting attachment ought given filename $filename. many browsers take peek @ file name, , try sniff suitable mime type extension. so, if you're specifying $filename .pdf modern browsers, "if looks pdf , smells pdf, it's pdf". not saying "this pdf" specification of content-disposition, you're providing name file download. in situations, should prevent fall-back "save as" behavior.

your best bet not provide content-disposition. way, you're not specifying default name save file as, , such there's no extension browser snoop. unfortunately, browsers default name of script if extension absurd compared contents. in of "enterprise solutions" deal in day-to-day, .csv files named "report.cgi" because use mime type internet explorer recognizes , don't provide content-disposition. buyer beware.

the bottom line can't force browser open "save as" server side unless have information browser , know how trick it, or don't give go (and browsers may have default conventions).

by specifying content-disposition , filename, you're giving hints file should be, , should saved as. on other hand, if don't give other hints browser other content-type 'application/x-download' you'll "save as" dialog box, user have no idea kind of content data is. puts @ mercy of browser's default naming conventions. how .csv files "report.cgi", when server providing mime type csv files (though ie-only flavor).

what use perl's file::type , mime_type function mime type , specify name. if use mime_type function determining mime type, , don't specify file return, you'll silly things .xlsx files being downloaded zip files, or other absurdity.

how important "save as" dialog box, because @ end of day, file type choose irrelevant if content of file not appropriate type , try open excel file in acrobat, or vice-versa.

in of years of experience doing server side programming, have found futile try control client side.