Free FTP Client With Source

Published 2006-03-10    Printer-friendly version

In 2003 Veronica Chapman wrote a number of highly informative articles for Clarion Magazine on the Windows API, including several on FTP transfers. Veronica's back with a complete FTP client package for Clarion, for all versions from Clarion for Windows 2.0 and up. The package is complete with a reference manual, client application, and source code. From the help file's background notes:

This Package 'fell out of' my need to organise the various WebSites with which I am involved (in fighting the New World Order). I required a simple way of constructing WebPages (and other 'artefacts', such as images, setups, zips, etc,) and automatically uploading them to their defined places, on Servers, without having to worry I was choosing the right place each time. The reason I mention this is because the features and facilities afforded by this package enable me to:

1. Scan any WebSite under my control, and create a full list of every Folder and File thereupon, where it is (i.e. in which Folder), the Size, Last Access Date/Time of each, and the Access Permissions. I can also scan my Local Platform 'mirror' and reconcile each to each.
2. Arrange to readily discover and adjust any situation whereby my Local and Remote Copies ever become inconsistent.

By this means I was recently able to move a WebSite from one WebHosting to another, firstly by automatically Downloading everything to a 'null' Local Platform 'mirror'. And then by automatically Uploading, from this 'mirror', to a new WebHosting. The entire process ran virtually automatically.

There are several ways to get the source code.

• In a setup file via Veronica's site. You can also get just the help file here. This is the recommended way to get the CW 2.x (and forward) compatible source.
• If you have problems downloading the file as above, I have a copy of the setup file (as of March 10, 2006) on Clarion Magazine. As time goes on this may or may not be the latest version.
• You can also get a C6 APP and sources from Clarion Magazine. I ported the 2.0 code via TXA, and made some adjustments based on new embed locations and standard equates. You will need the Clarion template chain registered to open this app. A TXA is included in the event you need to back port to an earlier version of Clarion - this may be easier than moving the CW 2.0 TXA forward.

If you're reading this at some later date, you can always check for changes by downloading the ClarionMag copy of the 2.0 code, and the latest version of the 2.0 code, and then porting those changes to the C6 version. I'm a big fan of Beyond Compare for this kind of work - it excels at comparing directories and files.

Help file update

An updated help file is available as of 20th March, 2006, with a number of corrections.

The original source release is unchanged.

If you have tried to use the Package, and had problems - particularly under WinXP - then the Errata should be implemented manually, according to the information given in the latest version of the Help Fil.

Fixes are defined in order to overcome the following problems:

1. Incorrect Help File statement in the definition of FTPFileTransferManager().
2. To correct a post-downloading problem.
3. To amend the CHMOD Access Permissions handling to accommodate Extended CHMOD.
4. Function to determine the Operating System under which the package is running, and to create workarounds for Win XP issues.
5. Redundant Code in Function FTPCaptureCHMOD().

Download the updated help here.

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Clarion Magazine ISSN 1718-9942