The evolution of RAP's FileDialog

The ability to upload files is key functionality for every Web application and, naturally RAP can upload files too. In the beginning ( RAP 1.2 ), this functionality was provided by a custom widget called Upload. This widget was based on an early version of the Qooxdoo UploadWidget contribution project.

In RAP 1.4 the old Upload widget was deprecated and replaced by a new FileUpload RWT widget responsible for file selection and submission, and a server-side component (FileUpload Incubator project) that receives and stores uploaded files. We’ve encapsulated the entire upload process in an implementation of the SWT FileDialog, which is also available in the incubator. This FileDialog had several shortcomings:

• Uploading multiple files required too many user interactions
• Selecting and uploading multiple files was not possible
• The implementation for file filtering was confusing

RAP 2.2M2 makes these improvements:

• RWT FileUpload widget has been extended to support multiple file selection and submission.
• FileUploadHandler now supports multiple files in single request.
• FileDialog has a redesigned and simplified UI.

• FileDialog automatically uploads files after selection.
• The confusing FileDialog file filtering API has been removed.

Enjoy the new FileDialog!