I&#39;m a bit baffled why you&#39;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&#39;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">&lt;<a href="mailto:list@panda.id.au">list@panda.id.au</a>&gt;</span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">

  

    
  
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    <font face="sans-serif">Hi everyone,<br>
      <br>
      I&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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>