CFFILE ACTION = "READBINARY" |
Description Reads a binary file (such as an executable or image file) on the server, into a binary object parameter that you can use in the page. To send it through a web protocol (such as HTTP or SMTP) or store it in a database, first convert it to Base64 using the ToBase64 function.

Note: | This action reads the file into a variable in the local Variables scope. It is not intended for use with large files, such as logs, because they can bring down the server.

Syntax
    <cffile
       action = "readBinary"
       file = "full_path_name"
       variable = "var_name">
See also cfdirectory
Usage You convert the binary file to Base64 to transfer it to another site.
Example The following example reads the binary file somewhere.jpg, writes it to a different folder as somewhereB.jpg, and then displays the new file:
    <cffile action = "readBinary" file =
    "C:\inetpub\wwwroot\cfdocs\getting_started\photos\somewhere.jpg" variable =
    "aBinaryObj">
    <!--- Output binary object to JPEG format for viewing. --->
    <cffile action="write" file = "c:\files\updates\somewhereB.jpg" output =
    "#toBinary(aBinaryObj)#">
    <!--- HTML to view image. --->
    <img src="C:\files\updates\somewhereB.jpg">

ACTION |
| Required
Type of file manipulation that the tag performs.

FILE |
| Required
Pathname of a binary fine to read. If not an absolute path (starting a with a drive letter and a colon, or a forward or backward slash), it is relative to the ColdFusion temporary directory, which is returned by the GetTempDirectory function.

VARIABLE |
| Required
Name of variable to contain contents of binary file.