# Read Local File System

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [October 28, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984 "2006-10-28T19:19:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984/1 "2006-10-28T19:19:56Z")

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Does anyone know the best way to read the local file system from Rails?  
Is this even possible?

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**Author:** ![guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984/2 "2006-10-28T19:49:46Z")

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> Does anyone know the best way to read the local file system from Rails?  
> Is this even possible?

If by local you mean the client’s desktop pc file system, then no.

If you mean the local file system of the OS that is running rails, then  
yes.

[http://www.ruby-doc.org/core/classes/File.html](http://www.ruby-doc.org/core/classes/File.html)

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**Author:** ![guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984/3 "2006-10-28T21:30:40Z")

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Yeah I meant the client’s machine.

Thanks.

Philip H. wrote:

> > Does anyone know the best way to read the local file system from Rails?  
> > Is this even possible?
> 
> If by local you mean the client’s desktop pc file system, then no.
> 
> If you mean the local file system of the OS that is running rails, then  
> yes.
> 
> [class File - RDoc Documentation](http://www.ruby-doc.org/core/classes/File.html)

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**Author:** ![guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984/4 "2006-10-29T14:54:50Z")

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On 10/28/06, Guest [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Does anyone know the best way to read the local file system from Rails?  
> Is this even possible?

A trusted java applet communicating with the server could do it.

martin

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**Author:** ![guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/read-local-file-system/73984/5 "2006-10-29T13:56:47Z")

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I don’t believe that’s possible.  
It would mean that a ‘website’ could read your HD, I’m not sure you  
would want that.