FileSystemFileEntry.file()

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

Non-standard
This feature is non-standard and is not on a standards track. Do not use it on production sites facing the Web: it will not work for every user. There may also be large incompatibilities between implementations and the behavior may change in the future.

The FileSystemFileEntry interface's method file() returns a File object which can be used to read data from the file represented by the directory entry.

Syntax

JavaScript
FileSystemFileEntry.file(successCallback[, errorCallback]);

Parameters

successCallback
A callback function which is called when the File has been created successfully; the File is passed into the callback as the only parameter.
errorCallback Optional
If provided, this must be a method which is caled when an error occurs while trying to create the File. This callback receives as input a FileError object describing the error.

Editor's note: We need to find out what kinds of errors can occur and document them.

Return value

undefined.

Example

This example establishes a method, readFile(), reads a text file and calls a specified callback function with the received text (in a String object) once the read is completed. If an error occurs, a specified (optional) error callback is called.

JavaScript
function readFile(entry, successCallback, errorCallback) {
  entry.file(function(file)) {
    let reader = new FileReader();

    reader.onload = function() {
      successCallback(reader.result);
    };

    reader.onerror = function() {
      errorCallback(reader.error);
    }

    reader.readAsText(file);
  }, errorCallback);
}

This function calls file(), specifying as its success callback a method which proceeds to use a FileReader to read the file as text. The FileReader's load event handler is set up to deliver the loaded string to the successCallback specified when the readFile() method was called; similarly, its error handler is set up to call the errorCallback specified.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
File and Directory Entries API
The definition of 'file()' in that specification.
Editor's Draft Initial specification.

This API has no official W3C or WHATWG specification.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 13 webkit 50 (50) No support No support No support
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support No support 0.16webkit 50.0 (50) No support No support No support

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/api/filesystemfileentry/file

API File File and Directory Entries API File System API Files FileSystemFileEntry Method Non-standard Non-Standard Reference