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Creating an Index File with GIF Graphics
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If your web server doesn't allow directory browsing, here's
a quick way to create an index file.
I was creating a CDROM version of a web site when I hit a problem.
The
CDROM I was making had a small
embedded web server, but that server didn't allow directory
browsing! I didn't want the drudge work of manually creating default
web
pages. I wanted icons, not just a text directory listing. I wanted the
script that created the index file to be a standalone solution, so that
meant no separate graphic files.
The solution? I converted over 60 different icon graphic files into
hex-encoded data and stored them in the script. When the script creates
an index file, it uses the hex data to re-create the original graphic
file. It puts the graphics wherever you want -- in the same directory
you're indexing or in a common graphics folder. All the links in the
index file are automatically made relative, so your page will work with
both the file:// and http:// protocols. You can change the name of the
generated index file (the default is "index.html") by modifying a
constant
in the script. You can even change what files get what icon by
modifying dictionary code in the script. You can either drag a folder
and drop it
on the script or you can associate the script as
a right-click option for folders. Or yes, you can use it from the
command
line.
Sound interesting? Download the
script.
Here's what a generated page looks like:
Here are the icons you'll find embedded in the script:
Like everything else I create,
there may be undiscovered bugs. Let me know if you find any so
I can get them corrected.
Lost? Look at the site map.
Bad links? Questions? Send me mail.