check if an xml file exists in flash

[Erou]

Hi to all,
I am endurance a really strange problem.
I have an application in flash mx, and I use an xml file to know chapters and images to load. So I use the xml file hei.xml, but i have another location c:\hei\files\hei.xml in case of upgrade or install the application.

I use the following script to check the existence of the new file before i load the default:

var my_xml = new XML();
my_xml.ignoreWhite = true;
my_xml.onLoad = function(success:Boolean) {

if (success) {
//-- The file exists and i use it
} else {
//-- I load the other xml file
my_xml.load("hei.xml");
}
}
//and I call the xml file
my_xml.load("c:/hei/hei.xml");


When I run the swf inside the Flash i get in the output window
Error opening URL "c:/hei/hei.xml",
But everything is working despite the error.

The same thing happens when I run the swf from Explorer and Opera . But..........
In Netscape and mozilla the process stops when the error occurs .
Basically the error occurs at my_xml.load("c:/hei/hei.xml"); and I never have the change to check the success of onload function .
Netscape stops on that error, explorer by bus it and works.

I found that the problem occurs and when flash is used in director that may explain my problem:
The Flash onLoad callback handler does not function correctly
http://www.macromedia.com/support/di...handlers_f.htm
But i can't use the work around because i don’t use director .

I tried a solution that is posted at:
http://www.flashguru.co.uk/000310.php
But causes the same problems (the onload never has the change to fire) .

I tried to use “try {}” and “catch {}” but or i did something wrong or that method cannot apply to onload function.

I really would like to have multi browser support, although after few days of nerve braking efforts i starting to thing that this is not a very good idea.

If anybody knows how to overcome this obstacle, i would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance
Thanos

[scot]

your code should work the only thing that looks wrong to me .. is the c:/hei/hei.xml try c:\hei\hei.xml instead......

the other thing why are you referencing all the way to your C:\ drive .. that wont work on the WWW .....

my suggestion whould be in your main folder where your FLA, SWF and 1st XML files are create a nother folder called upgrades or something and put your other XML in there .... and then you can just my_xml.load("upgrades/hei.xml"); or my_xml.load("hei.xml");
hope it helps.....

var my_xml = new XML();
my_xml.ignoreWhite = true;
my_xml.onLoad = function(success:Boolean) {

if (success) {
//-- The file exists and i use it
} else {
//-- I load the other xml file
my_xml.load("hei.xml");
}
}
//and I call the xml file
my_xml.load("c:\hei\hei.xml");

[programmer_neo]

Just a guess. By what you typed it appears the path to the xml file is incorrect. You said the file is in ...
c:\hei\files\hei.xml

and you said the error you are getting is ...
Error opening URL "c:/hei/hei.xml",

So maybe you just need to correct ...
my_xml.load("c:/hei/hei.xml");

to

my_xml.load("c:/hei/files/hei.xml");

[Erou]

Well i use a local file path because i don't want this application to work only from web. And if it worked only from web what’s the point to have an alternative file. I just replace the xml file with the new one and the contents are changed
If the application is in a cd then you have to replace the cd, or with the use of alternative path u can just download only the upgraded files to your computer.....

Now about the address: Is just an example and it doesn’t matter if it is correct because there is no file there
If there is a file both Netscape and explorer works. The problem is with Netscape when the file is not there.
I tested the code, i know is ok, and i KNOW that this does not work in NETSCAPE BROWSERS because a bug of Netscape or because of the way that <embed> tag works. I am looking a solution about that, or how to catch that error inside Flash, because if the error is fired the process stops and there is no point to test the my_xml.onLoad = function(success:Boolean) {}
because is never executed.

[scot]

this should check to see if file exists ....

my_xml.onLoad = function(ok) {
	if (ok) {
		// do something cause file exists
	} else {
		trace("Problem loading the text file...");
	}
};

[Erou]

Originally Posted by scot

this should check to see if file exists ....

my_xml.onLoad = function(ok) {
	if (ok) {
		// do something cause file exists
	} else {
		trace("Problem loading the text file...");
	}
};

Lets do it again:

The code:
my_xml.onLoad = function(ok) {
if (ok) {
_root.swfToLoadText = "there";
} else {
_root.swfToLoadText = "not there";
}
};

I use a text filed for debugging in browser environment the "swfToLoadText".

Lets use first the alternative file that does not exist, and to be certain that is not a problem with the link we are not going to use the target "c:\\hei\\files\\hei.xml", but the following:

my_xml.load("hei2.xml");

Results:

Explorer:
not there (working as expected)

Netscape:
level0.swfToLoadText (the check never fired as i already know )

----------------------------------------------

Lets use the xml file that exist and try again:
my_xml.load("hei.xml");

Results:

Explorer:
there (working as expected)

Netscape:
there (working as expected)

---------------------------------------
Now lets use both files:

my_xml.onLoad = function(ok) {
if (ok) {
_root.swfToLoadText = "there";
} else {
my_xml.load("hei.xml");
}
};
my_xml.load("hei2.xml");

Results:
Explorer:
there (working as expected)

Netscape:
level0.swfToLoadText (Again the check never fired )
--------------------------------------------------------

I already did all this. I am looking a more advanced coding solution for the problem, if any.

If you like you can check it to verify my problem. If you never checked in Netscape then trust my word.

[scot]

got me on this..... flash player is it the same version in IE and netscape... the only thing can think of thats causing it...... I guess a more advance coding solution, whould be to use javascript to check for the file... if JS can do that.... or perhaps PHP

[Erou]

I was trying so hard to find a specific solution and i dint saw the obvious.
Yes JavaScript. I just hope that there isn't any problem in passing dynamic created variables in Netscape to.

But i still like to find out the proper solution. Maybe a parameter in the <embed> tag of the html page.
I am curious, is my nature, so am waiting for suggestions.

[scot]

not sure on the java stuff..... <embed> should do the trick...... I stick personally to PHP / AS