Empty files

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bihan
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Empty files

#1 Post by bihan » 2012-12-06 11:10

Some CMS generate empty files (for exemple Joomla, ).
Filezilla do'nt export these files and so create anomalies.
May be this subject has been discussed before, nevertheless the question "empty file" do'nt provide clear answer.

If there is no drawback it wille be useful to export empty files

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boco
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Re: Empty files

#2 Post by boco » 2012-12-06 15:35

What do you mean by ''Export''. I had never any problem transferring empty files and directories.
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Re: Empty files

#3 Post by bihan » 2012-12-08 08:51

The word "export" is used to characterize a transfert from host site to my computer.
When i save the contains of my Joomla site on my computer , 3 files are not saved because they are empty.

For the other transfert (computer to host site) their is no problem.

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Re: Empty files

#4 Post by boco » 2012-12-08 09:38

Could you post a log containing an attempt to transfer a 0 byte file? I never had any problems regarding that.
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Re: Empty files

#5 Post by bihan » 2012-12-08 16:16

unfortunatly i can not find the empty files because i lost them and i was trying to extract them from the host site.
They are .ini, . php and .js file. they were generated by joomla and i can not generate empty files of these kind simply.
Herewith a file containing the tree ohases of work :
- selecting the file for tranfert for transfert,
- asking for transfert,
- bad result.

It seem the software wait for a minimum of data and then stay waiting has there is no data.


file:///home/fbleg80g/Bureau/fichiers%20a%20zero-imageFZ.doc
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[The extension doc has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]


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boco
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Re: Empty files

#6 Post by boco » 2012-12-08 21:10

Empty files (without contents), as far as FTP is concerned, consist only of the filename and their timestamp.
i can not generate empty files of these kind simply.
I don't understand. You should be able to create an empty file and give it every name and extension you want. What prevents you from doing that? And if there's something it could prevent FileZilla from creating empty files as well.

I cannot open your attachment. Please do not use proprietary file formats. *.txt for text and *.png for pictures.
Last edited by boco on 2012-12-15 20:36, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed statement that could be confusing, read botg's statement below.
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Re: Empty files

#7 Post by bihan » 2012-12-09 08:52

As you can generate quickly a empty file, do it. Transfer it in a host site and then try to download it with FZ.

I thing it is the best and quick way stop you saying "i don't understand".

Thank you for your cooperation

François

note : .doc is not a proprietary kind of file but an international standard

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Re: Empty files

#8 Post by botg » 2012-12-09 10:51

Bad one at that.

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boco
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Re: Empty files

#9 Post by boco » 2012-12-09 13:34

I have tested. Created empty file. Can transfer back and forth to three different servers (two Windows, one *NIX) all day. No sweat.
Still wonder what the problem on your system is. Could you fancy a log?
note : .doc is not a proprietary kind of file but an international standard
It is a proprietary file format from Microsoft, that's a fact. Its pseudo-standard status is due to the fact Microsoft Office is wide-spread in the business world. But it's not only incompatible to some platforms, it also can carry viruses.
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Re: Empty files

#10 Post by bihan » 2012-12-11 17:11

I do'nt find log in filezilla so i take picture of the screen after my trials (here attached in an odt file).
the trials are made on windows vista and linux ubuntu.

I try to attach empty files i created but this system is unable to upload empty files. Even-though i agree it not to much complicated to create them.
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Re: Empty files

#11 Post by botg » 2012-12-11 20:56

Ubuntu: As user you cannot write into protected system directories. You have to use a different download directory.

Windows: Please post a complete Log.

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Re: Empty files

#12 Post by bihan » 2012-12-12 14:35

I change the destination of the transfer to the computer and i enlarge the log window for the ubuntu exemple in the new screen picture.
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Re: Empty files

#13 Post by botg » 2012-12-12 21:40

My best guess is that either the server is broken or that some NAT router is interfering with socket shutdown in case of empty streams.

Assuming you have a NAT router: For a test, can you try to bypass any NAT routers in your end by plugging your computer directly into your modem, thus bypassing any NAT routers?

bihan
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Re: Empty files

#14 Post by bihan » 2012-12-15 08:56

We can now concentrate on the example i send you (Linux/ubuntu case).

FZ read perfectly the directory of the hosted site including the size of the files (right colomn - middle)).

When the transfer is launched it request all the data including for the empty files and stay waiting because nothing happen (right colomn - down)

When the time out happen the transfer is considered as failed.

2012/12/08 you explain : "Empty files (without contents), as far as FTP is concerned, consist only of the filename and their timestamp. In fact, empty files are not transferred, only recreated at the target (FTP does only transfer the file data stream, if non-empty)."

If it is the case, it is not normal to have FZ waiting for data of an empty file and failing on this transfer.

François

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Re: Empty files

#15 Post by botg » 2012-12-15 09:36

The file size is only advisory. Empty files are in fact transferred. The true size is only know after transferring.

The following happens when you download a file:
  1. Transfer parameters are setup (e.g. PASV command)
  2. Transfer command is sent (e.g. RETR)
  3. Data connection is established
  4. The server sends zero or more bytes over the data connection
  5. The server indicates the end of the transfer by performing an orderly shutdown of the data connection

If step 5 does not happen, either because the server does not perform it or because some firewall or NAT router does not handle it properly, then the client will eventually time out and fail the transfer.

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