Passing parameters along with a multipart/form-data upload form (Java Http Post Upload)

Question

I have a code base which currently uploads file using Post and has enctype as multipart/form-data. Now I need to include some form items i.e. some parameters will also be passed along with the file upload. I have my html form created out but I cannot use request.getParameter because it is a multipart form. Could anyone suggest me how do I pass parameters along with my upload file. I am providing the codes below. Please suggest me how to get around based on compatibility of my codes

if (!ServletFileUpload.isMultipartContent(request)) {
  throw new CustomUploadException("Not a file upload request");
}

ServletFileUpload  upload = new ServletFileUpload();
FileItemIterator iter = upload.getItemIterator(request);

while (iter.hasNext())
{
  FileItemStream item = iter.next();

  if (item.isFormField() == false && 
      item.getFieldName().equalsIgnoreCase("xmlfile"))
  {
      String fileName = item.getName();
      myBean.setFileName(fileName );
  }

}

Solution 1

If isFormField on FileItemStream returns true it's a normal field. You can use openStream and read the contents into a String.

Something like this:

FileItemStream item = iter.next();
if(item.isFormField()) {
   // Normal field
   String name = item.getFieldName();
   String value = Streams.asString(item.openStream());
} else {
   // File
}

Streams.asString takes a second parameter which is the charset encoding to use, you might need to specify one that is suitable for your site.

Solution 2

To send a parameter with a FileUpload it just needs to be added in the URL within the setAction method As follows:

formPanel.setAction("<ProjectURL>/<YourServletName>?<YourParameterName>="+parameter);

And in your servlet simply get the parameter as follows:

req.getParameter("<YourParameterName>");

Hope it helps ;-)