> There appears to be confusion about the 'file://' protocol.
> 
> The "file://" protocol is really not a protocol at all, since there 
> are no client-server communications involved. 
> This 'false' protocol identifier is simply a 'nice' little feature
> that web-browsers implement (URL/URLConnection also
> implements this), that provides the means of displaying a
> file stored on the client system (or on a drive that is
> mounted on the client system).
> 
> The key here is 'client-system'. When you type a "file://"
> URL into your browser, your browser goes straight to
> your filesystem to get the file. It does not contact a web-server
> for this. 
> 
> If you want to retrieve a 'file' from a web server, you must 
> provide a URL that starts with 'http://' (or https://).

That was kind of my point really.  The point being this is a browser
operation and not a server operation.  In other words, the point being
communicated to the originator of the question is that this is not a
problem with Tomcat, nor something you'd expect Tomcat to take care of,
but basically a browser implementation.

Protocol can really be used in a broad sense.  The "file protocol", 
if you insist, is a expected behavior pattern among systems.  
i.e. You _expect_ it to work the same on a SunOS box as on a Linux box 
or a Windoze box.  I don't think there is any confusion just 
miscommunication in some cases.


---
Michael Wentzel
Software Developer
Software As We Think - http://www.aswethink.com

--
To unsubscribe:   <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
For additional commands: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Troubles with the list: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Reply via email to