I'm a bit baffled why you'd consider accessing the database directly - you should be using the file API.<br><br>File API handbook section is at <a href="http://drupal.org/node/555118">http://drupal.org/node/555118</a> <br>
<br>You should use the File API to create managed or unmanaged file entries, and not worry more about how they are stored in the db.<br><br>A module that might help you is <a href="http://drupal.org/project/filefield_sources">http://drupal.org/project/filefield_sources</a>. In fact, it might already do everything you need. Anyway, it allows you to add a file from any source.<br>
<br>It *is* complicated trying to allow access to a file that is not in your public or private files section. The idea of having drupal:// didn't get in.<br><br>-Randy<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 8:21 PM, Peter Anderson <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:list@panda.id.au">list@panda.id.au</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
<font face="sans-serif">Hi everyone,<br>
<br>
I'm upgrading my D6 module to D7 and am trying to work out the
best way to implement the new File API...<br>
My module allows users to either upload a file from their
computer, or enter the relative path of a file already on the
server (e.g. /sites/default/themes/...). The relative path to this
file is then stored in the DB.<br>
<br>
I'm not sure what to store in the database in the D7 version: the
file URI (public://my_file.png) or the relative path as per the D6
version (/sites/default/files/my_file.png).<br>
The reasons I'm not sure are as follows:<br>
- Storing the File URI seems to be the obvious choice as that
seems to be the default now<br>
- But how would I allow users to enter the path of a file already
on the server in, say, their theme folder?<br>
- Storing the relative path is how I used to do it, so is easier<br>
- But then how do I change a relative path to a File URI when
required (e.g. by the image_style_url() function)?<br>
<br>
Any assistance or advice would be much appreciated!<br>
</font>
<pre cols="72">--
Kind regards,
Peter Anderson.
<a href="http://panda.id.au" target="_blank">http://panda.id.au</a>
</pre>
</div>
</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Randy Fay<br>Drupal Module and Site Development<br><a href="mailto:randy@randyfay.com">randy@randyfay.com</a><br>+1 970.462.7450<br><br>