📂 ASP – File System API: FileSystemObject, File, and Folder

🧲 Introduction – What Is the File System API in Classic ASP?

Classic ASP offers powerful server-side file management through the File System Object (FSO). This API allows your ASP scripts to create, read, write, delete, and manage files and folders on the web server using objects like FileSystemObject, File, and Folder.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to use FileSystemObject in Classic ASP
• Create and manipulate files and folders
• Read/write text files on the server
• Best practices with security and path handling

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🧱 Step 1 – Create the FileSystemObject

<%
Dim fso
Set fso = Server.CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
%>

📌 This object gives access to all file/folder methods.

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📁 Folder Handling

✅ Create a Folder

<%
If Not fso.FolderExists("C:\inetpub\wwwroot\data") Then
    fso.CreateFolder("C:\inetpub\wwwroot\data")
End If
%>

❌ Delete a Folder

<%
If fso.FolderExists("C:\data\old") Then
    fso.DeleteFolder("C:\data\old")
End If
%>

🔍 Get Folder Info

<%
Dim folder
Set folder = fso.GetFolder(Server.MapPath("data"))

Response.Write "Created: " & folder.DateCreated & "<br>"
Response.Write "Size: " & folder.Size & " bytes"
%>

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📄 File Handling

✅ Create or Overwrite a File

<%
Dim file
Set file = fso.CreateTextFile(Server.MapPath("data/info.txt"), True)
file.WriteLine("Hello from Classic ASP!")
file.Close
%>

📝 Append Text to a File

<%
Set file = fso.OpenTextFile(Server.MapPath("data/log.txt"), 8, True)
file.WriteLine "User accessed on: " & Now()
file.Close
%>

🔢 Modes:

• 1 = Read
• 2 = Write (overwrite)
• 8 = Append

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🧾 Read File Content

<%
Set file = fso.OpenTextFile(Server.MapPath("data/info.txt"), 1)

Do Until file.AtEndOfStream
    Response.Write file.ReadLine & "<br>"
Loop

file.Close
%>

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❌ Delete a File

<%
If fso.FileExists(Server.MapPath("data/old.txt")) Then
    fso.DeleteFile(Server.MapPath("data/old.txt"))
End If
%>

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

The File System API in ASP gives developers the ability to programmatically manage files and folders on the server. With FileSystemObject, your scripts can handle logs, uploads, data caching, and more.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Use CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") to manage files/folders
• Use OpenTextFile for reading/writing
• Always use Server.MapPath() for secure file access
• Clean up with .Close and Set obj = Nothing

⚙️ Real-world Use Cases:

• Logging user activity to text files
• Reading CSV or config files
• File-based content management systems

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❓ FAQs – Classic ASP File System Object

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❓ What is Server.MapPath() used for with FSO?
✅ It converts a virtual path to a physical path, ensuring safe access to files within your ASP site.

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❓ Can I read and write binary files with FSO?
❌ No. FSO works with text files. Use ADODB.Stream for binary data (e.g., images, PDFs).

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❓ Is FSO safe to use on a web server?
✅ Yes, but restrict it to safe paths and validate all file names to avoid directory traversal attacks.

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