LiveCode Forums.

I know that each file in a disk has a path, and I can store it in a LiveCode container (for example a customer property), is there also the possibility to store in a LiveCode container a sort of alias of a given file (not an alias) on disk? I need this because I want to keep track of a document on the disc that could be moved or renamed by the user.

Hi Mag,

store an "alias" (= just the pathname!):
...
set the cAlias2File of this stack to "/Users/klaus/Desktop/fingers.jpg"
...
Store an actual file:
...
set the cActualFile of this stack to url("binfile:" & specialfolderpath("desktop") & "/fingers.jpg")
...
"Spit" it out again:
...
put the cActualFile of this stack into url("binfile:" & specialfolderpath("desktop") & "/fingers_copy.jpg")
...

Best

Klaus

But if the user moves the file to another location the path doesn't work. I seem to recall that in Supercard there was a way to store a "sort of" alias that refer to the actual file regardless its location or its name.

Hi Mag,

Mag wrote:But if the user moves the file to another location the path doesn't work.

yes, but that is not my fault!

Mag wrote:I seem to recall that in Supercard there was a way to store a "sort of" alias that refer to the actual file regardless its location or its name.

Sorry, no idea how this could be done.


Best

Klaus

Thank you Klaus.

Maybe I have to create a disk alias on the fly and store it to some hidden and super secret location on the disk...

Mag.

You may, each time, have to explicitly ask for the pathname with the "answer file" command. A pain, but at least the user is burdened with that task, and not you.

Perhaps you can ease that burden by pre-determining if the file exists in the expected location, using the "there is a" operator?

Craig

Thank you so much Craig, I will go with the use of "there is a" operator

Klaus wrote:Hi Mag,

store an "alias" (= just the pathname!):
...
set the cAlias2File of this stack to "/Users/klaus/Desktop/fingers.jpg"
...
Store an actual file:
...
set the cActualFile of this stack to url("binfile:" & specialfolderpath("desktop") & "/fingers.jpg")
...
"Spit" it out again:
...
put the cActualFile of this stack into url("binfile:" & specialfolderpath("desktop") & "/fingers_copy.jpg")
...

Best

Klaus

Sorry Klaus, I just realized that the title of the thread was wrong, now I corrected. I meant an alias ...