
With the release of the powerful jQuery Mobile 1.0 framework, it is now becomes possible for pretty much anyone to crank out an uber slick HTML 5 website that looks like a ‘native app’ on just about any mobile device. However, one of the things that does break on implementation is the trusty old form file upload element, the result of the nifty AJAX-driven page load system that jQuery Mobile uses. (AJAX doesn’t allow file transfers as a security feature). Luckily for us though, there is a way to re-enable form file uploads with the only sacrifice being the slick page load, which when you think of it, isn’t such a big sacrifice now that you have the ability to launch files up to your web service once more! In short, what we want to do is instruct the jQuery Mobile framework to not process the form submit event as an AJAX call. To do this, the following “data-ajax” element property needs to be added to your form declaration: <form method=”POST” enctype=”multipart/form-data” action=”process_update.php” data-ajax=”false”> Simple as that.
When handling file uploads via enctype=”multipart/form-data” forms in PHP, you’ll be pleased to know that PHP doesn’t just leave you high and dry but instead returns some pretty helpful error codes to let you know when something goes wrong.

One such system that we currently run at the Manchester Airports Group came back to report that the photo upload button was in fact not behaving correctly on the BlackBerry, the most likely culprit being the minimized styling we employ on the mobile site itself.
Craig Lotter is an established web developer and application programmer, with strong creative urges (which keep bursting out at the most inopportune moments) and a seemingly insatiable need to love all things animated. Living in the beautiful coastal town of Gordon's Bay in South Africa, he games, develops, takes in animated fare, trains under whichever martial arts dojo is closest at the time, and for the most part, simply enjoys life with his amazing wife and daughter.
Oh, and he draws ever now and then too.
This is a collection of things that he has managed to find the time to scribble down since 2007.
Looking for Something?
Jump to Category: