User Guide

cffile 121
cffile action = "readBinary"
Description
Reads a binary file (such as an executable or image file) on the serve, into a binary object
parameter that you can use in the page. To send it through a web protocol (such as HTTP or
SMTP) or store it in a database, first convert it to Base64 using the
ToBase64 function.
Note: This action reads the file into a variable in the local Variables scope. It is not intended for use
with large files, such as logs, because they can bring down the server.
Syntax
<cffile
action = "readBinary"
file = "full_path_name"
variable = "var_name">
See also
cfdirectory
Attributes
Usage
You convert the binary file to Base64 to transfer it to another site.
Example
The following example creates a variable named aBinaryObj to contain the ColdFusion MX
executable:
<cffile action = "readBinary"
file = "c:\cfusion\bin\cfserver.exe"
variable = "aBinaryObj">
Attribute Req/Opt Default Description
action Required Type of file manipulation that the tag performs.
file Required Pathname of a binary fine to read.
If not an absolute path (starting a with a drive letter and a
colon, or a forward or backward slash), it is relative to the
ColdFusion temporary directory, which is returned by the
GetTempDirectory function.
variable Required Name of variable to contain contents of binary file.