How to add attachments to email?

[GEAK]

Nutshell: How do I get the value from <INPUT type="file"...> into the code behind a webform?

Detailed: I'm writing a web-based email client (a la hotmail, gmail, yahoo...). I know how to send mail already (been there, done that, got the stamps on my passport). I want to allow the client to browse for a file and attach that to the mail message. I'm probably overlooking the obvious but I can't seem to figure out how to get the value from a generic HTML control (input type=file) on my webform to the point where I can use it to create a MailAttachment object.

BTW, I'm a programming instructor but 99% of my experience is using C++ to write stand-alone apps, this VB/ASP.Net stuff is new to me.

 

[RTomes]

YOUR ASPX PAGE
<input type=file runat=server id=file1 />
<asp:button runat=server id=butSubmit text=Submit/>

YOUR CODE BEHIND
Private Sub butSubmit_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles butSubmit.Click

If Not file1.postedfile.filename = Nothing Then
file1.postedfile.saveas("MyFilePathAndName.txt")
EmailObject.attachments.add("MyFilePathAndName.txt")
'Alternative
Dim ln As Integer = file1.PostedFile.ContentLength - 1
Dim bytes(ln) As Byte
file1.PostedFile.InputStream.Read(bytes, 0, ln)
EmailObject.attachments.add(bytes)
End If
End Sub

Keeping it Simple

 

[GEAK]

Thanks a pile! Turns out the missing link wasn't in what you gave me, but you pointed me in the right direction. I originally declared my input as an HtmlInputControl and couldn't access any useful properties without throwing exceptions. Once I changed it to HtmlInputFile everything fell into place.

 

[ca8msm]

Generally what I do is have a function that will return a boolean value if the file that is being uploaded passes certain validation. e.g.

    Public Function FileFieldSelected(ByVal FileField As System.Web.UI.HtmlControls.HtmlInputFile) As Boolean
        ' Returns a True if the passed
        ' FileField has had a user post a file
        Dim intFileLength As Integer
        If FileField.PostedFile Is Nothing Then Return False
        If FileField.PostedFile.ContentLength = 0 Then Return False
        If FileField.PostedFile.ContentLength > 5120000 Then Return False
        Return True
    End Function

Then, I simply pass the HTML control to the function and if it is valid save the file. e.g.

        If FileFieldSelected(fileUpload1) = True Then
            fileUpload1.PostedFile.SaveAs("PathToSaveAs")
        End If

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