Transfer Methods


JFile provides three means of transferring data to or from the server: URLConnection, Sockets and WinInet*.

The default transfer method is URLConnection. WinInet is only available on Windows with Internet Explorer browsers before version 6.

Important!
WinInet requires Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM) which was included with Internet Explorer browsers before version 6. IE 6 does not include Microsoft VM and as of September 2004, Microsoft will no longer support Microsoft VM.

In a WinInet download, if more than one of the URLs to download is an https location, JFile will automatically reset the transfer method to URLConnection.

Transfer Method Details

URL Connection
(Windows default method)
Sockets
(Mac default method)
WinInet*
Can use SSL for encrypted file transfer while executing within the browser. Cannot use SSL in any context. Can use SSL for encrypted file transfer from Windows/IE client.
Does not show accurate progress indicator. Since browser buffers output, transfer counter goes to 100% and then waits while the actual transfer is executed. Shows accurate transfer progress indicator. Shows accurate transfer progress indicator
Uses memory inefficiently for large transfers (> 50 MB). Efficient for large transfers (unlimited). Efficient for large transfers (unlimited).
Can be used with supported versions of Windows IE or Netscape. Can be used with supported versions of Windows IE, Windows Netscape or Macintosh IE (JFile automatically switches to sockets connection if the upload is from a Macintosh client or Netscape 6.x). Can be used only with Windows/IE client. Cannot be used with IE 6 or higher.

Important!
WinInet requires Microsoft VM which was included with IE before version 6. IE 6 does not include Microsoft VM and as of September 2004, Microsoft will no longer support Microsoft VM.
Can be used when client is accessing web site through an authenticating proxy. Cannot be used with authenticating proxy. Can be used with authenticating proxy.  (requires sending empty request first.  See WinInetNTLM parameter).


*WinInet transfer is not available in version 1.x.


See also UseSockets, setTransferMethod, UseWinInet, and autoSetTransferMethod.


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