Hi Randy,

I had a look at the File API handbook you linked to, and I guess file_usage_add() is what I need, however I tried implementing it and no new records are showing in the {file_usage} table...
Here's the code: file_usage_add($uploaded_file, 'block_icons', 'block', $bid);
(I got $bid from the {block} table)

My module allows users to upload an image to each block on the site, so I created my own database table where each block that has an image associated with it is listed.
If I don't need to store the path to the images anymore, I'm assuming file_usage_add() does that for me somehow...?

On 02/05/11 13:13, Randy Fay wrote:

I'm a bit baffled why you'd consider accessing the database directly - you should be using the file API.

File API handbook section is at http://drupal.org/node/555118

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.

A module that might help you is http://drupal.org/project/filefield_sources. In fact, it might already do everything you need. Anyway, it allows you to add a file from any source.

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.

-Randy
On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 8:21 PM, Peter Anderson <list@panda.id.au> wrote:
Hi everyone,

I'm upgrading my D6 module to D7 and am trying to work out the best way to implement the new File API...
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.

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).
The reasons I'm not sure are as follows:
- Storing the File URI seems to be the obvious choice as that seems to be the default now
- But how would I allow users to enter the path of a file already on the server in, say, their theme folder?
- Storing the relative path is how I used to do it, so is easier
- But then how do I change a relative path to a File URI when required (e.g. by the image_style_url() function)?

Any assistance or advice would be much appreciated!
-- 
Kind regards,
Peter Anderson.
http://panda.id.au
--
Randy Fay
Drupal Module and Site Development
randy@randyfay.com
+1 970.462.7450

-- 
Kind regards,
Peter Anderson.
http://panda.id.au