serve pdf files using node js & express

Question

All the PDF files are saved in the filesystem on the server, how to make the files to be downloadable in client side.

for Ex :

 app.use('/pdfDownload', function(req, res){
  var pathToTheFile = req.body.fileName;
   readFile(pathToTheFile, function(data){
      //code to make the data to be downloadable;
    });
 });

is the request made

function readFile(pathToTheFile, cb){
   var fs = require('fs');
   fs.readFile(pathToTheFile, function(err, data){
      //how to make the file fetched to be downloadable in the client requested
      //cb(data);
   }); 
}

moka · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-24 11:12:44Z

9

You can use express.static, set it up early in your app:

app.use('/pdf', express.static(__dirname + '/pathToPDF'));

And it will automatically do the job for you when browser navigates to e.g. '/pdf/fooBar.pdf'.

answered Jul 24, 2013 at 11:12

moka

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7 Comments

Beast Over a year ago

@Makisms but what about the 'pathToTheFile' it'll be retrieved using the req object

moka Over a year ago

Static will resolve it automatically. So if you go to /pdf/test.pdf then it will try to find file /pathToPDF/test.pdf.

Beast Over a year ago

sorry bro i couldn't get you, If all the files are in /tmp/files/pdf directory. And the filename in the req is like ObjectId.pdf how will it flow ? could you please explain thanks

Beast Over a year ago

I understood you're comment, i think i'm doing a wrong request from clien side $.get('/pathToPDF/fileName.pdf', function(data){ }); is it correct ?

moka Over a year ago

You want to open PDF as new tab? Or what you want to get on client side? As well if all files are in /tmp/files/pdf, then you need to do: app.use('/pdf', express.static('/tmp/files/pdf'));. Express will resolve the end of url and will get the right file. Just set up express, and then try to navigate in browser to pdf file.

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