Hi, 

I have a page where form data is passed to a php page (just script) to
process the input. This page calls a function to output a file:

function sendFileViaHeader($path, $name) { 
   $fp = fopen($path . $name, 'r'); 
   header("Cache-Control: ");// leave blank to avoid IE errors 
   header("Pragma: ");// leave blank to avoid IE errors 
   header("Content-type: application/octet-stream"); 
   header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=\"" . $name .
"\"");
   header("Content-length: ".(string)(filesize($path . $name))); 
   fpassthru($fp); 
}

The original script then calls a further header that will redirect the
user page to a different (or updated original page):

header('Location: http://www.new.com');

However, only the file is sent. The second header is never called. It
is either one or the other. Never both. How do I get around this (I've
tried buffering - ob_start(), ob_end_flush() to no avail)?

Thanks!

PS - I'm looking for a browser compatable solution to this, and not
merely "do this using 2 pages". Thanks :)

Hi gooseman,

This behaviour is very predictable. If you look at the HTTP protocol,
it will become very obvious to you. Let me help you recall how a
simple HTTP transaction takes place.

The client (the web browser) sends a request to the server with the
URL to retrieve. The server is free to send back any response. Just a
200 (ok) or 300 (redirection) or 400 (document not found) or return a
document. But under no circumstamces can it return two responses. So,
there is the catch! What you are trying is certainly not possible that
way.

A workable solution in your case would be, if you redirect first and
then in the redirected page, if you can execute a JavaScript function
to open a new window with the URL that will cause the browser to begin
downloading the file. Most of the sites I have seen, use this
technique. IBM.com for example.

Another solution would be, for you to call a javascript function in
the onclick event of the link that causes this. Let me show you how.

function RedirectAndDownload() {
    top.location.href="http://answer.google.com";
    window.open("http://www13.brinkster.com/ranjeetrain/getres.asp?res=ranjeetee.jpg",
"testwin", "");
return false;
}
</SCRIPT>

<A href="#" onclick="return RedirectAndDownload()">Click here to get
the download the file. You will be redirected to the GOOGLE answers as
well</A>

Please feel free to ask your doubts if any.