Redirect after file download - VB.NET - ASP.NET

[Matt Nunnally]

I have a form which allows the user to download a simple text file. They click on the download button and it brings up the "Save As" dialog. Once they save the file, I want them to be redirected to another page.

Here is the code I'm using:

            Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=Security.PCC")
            Response.TransmitFile(PassGen.Path & "Security.pcc")
            Response.End()
            Response.Redirect("password.aspx?pw=" & password)

I've tried switching around the .End and .Redirect statements. Either it redirects, but the file doesn't download, or it downloads but doesn't redirect. What am I missing?

[jeffstl]

Take out the response.end

That stops all execution on the spot.

Plus with the redirect you dont need it at all..

[Matt Nunnally]

Thanks. But when I try that, the "save' dialog never shows. It justs goes directory to the redirect url. I tried adding the extra parameter to the redirect as well

                Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=Security.PCC")
                Response.TransmitFile(PassGen.Path & "Security.pcc")
                Response.Redirect("password.aspx?pw=" & password, True)

[jeffstl]

Thanks. But when I try that, the "save' dialog never shows. It justs goes directory to the redirect url. I tried adding the extra parameter to the redirect as well

                Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=Security.PCC")
                Response.TransmitFile(PassGen.Path & "Security.pcc")
                Response.Redirect("password.aspx?pw=" & password, True)

Hmm. I have never actually done a transmitFile before so I guess Im not sure.

It sounds like you need a buffer or something?

Or you need to somehow be able to somehow have a timer for the redirect....I will tell you I did a quick scan on google after I saw your response and it doesn't look like you are alone in this problem ;-)

[jhardman]

I think you are seeing a basic internet deficiency. I would suggest opening the file in a new window, and have the same function which opens the file redirect the page. It would be easier to do in javascript, I think.

Jared

[Matt Nunnally]

Thanks Jared. I had tried that. It worked, but not as efficiently as I wanted to. I almost have it working now. The whole reason I wanted to redirect was to display a password for the user. I'm trying now just to post the password to the same page as the download.

It seems like it should be working, but its not. Basically, I have this control ('PassGen') that creates a text file and also a password for that file. I want to display the password to the user and have them be able to download the file.

Private Sub generate_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

        If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(Session("password")) Then
            lblPassword.Text = "Your password is            " & Session("password") 'display password
            Session("password") = String.Empty 'reset the password
        Else
            PassGen.Path = System.AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory() 'set path to create file
            password = PassGen.CreatePasswordFile 'create text file and password
            Session("password") = password 'set session password
        End If

    End Sub

    Protected Sub btnDownload_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnDownload.Click

        If System.IO.File.Exists(filename) Then
            Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=Security.PCC")
            Response.TransmitFile(PassGen.Path & "Security.pcc")
            Response.End()
        End If

    End Sub

Basically if the password is blank, then the file hasn't been generated, so I go ahead and generate it. And when they click on the download button, the generate_load is called again, which should then display the message. When I step through it, it hits that line of code but never displays the password, which I don't understand. Is there a better way to do this?

[jhardman]

Matt,

Looking at your code, it is apparent that this is not ASP classic. Give me some details (what version and language you are using, what IDE) and I will try to recommend an expert to help.

Jared

[Matt Nunnally]

I'm using VS 2005. I'm more of a VB.NET guy, so I'm working mostly with the VB behind the ASP

[jhardman]

I'm using VS 2005. I'm more of a VB.NET guy, so I'm working mostly with the VB behind the ASP

OK, I'm moving this post to the .NET forum, the ASP forum focuses on "classic" ASP and even though experts crossover, we try to keep the threads separate. If someone here doesn't pick up on it, try sending a PM to me or to Frinavale (the leader of the .NET forum) - I think this would be close to her specialty.

Jared

[Matt Nunnally]

Jared,

Thank you very much for doing that. But I think I figured out a way to get it to work the way I wanted. And I also found that the reason the label caption wasn't being updated had something to do with the download function. When I commented out the download code, the label updated fine. Here is what I'm doing now:

 If Not Page.IsPostBack Then
            If System.IO.File.Exists(filename) Then
                System.IO.File.Delete(filename)
            End If
            PassGen.Path = System.AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory() 'set path to create file
            password = PassGen.CreatePasswordFile 'create text file and password
            lblPassword.Text = "Your password is " & vbTab & password '& ".  It came from the path: " & filename
        End If

    End Sub

    Protected Sub btnDownload_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnDownload.Click

        If System.IO.File.Exists(filename) Then
            Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            Response.AddHeader("Refresh", 0.1)
            Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=Security.PCC")
            Response.TransmitFile(PassGen.Path & "Security.pcc")
            Response.End()
        End If

    End Sub

Basically I just display the password first on form load and then have them download. Ideally I wanted to show the password after they hit the download button, but its not that big of a deal. Thanks again for your help :)