Plupload is a cross-browser multi-runtime file uploading API. Basically a set of tools that will help you to build reliable and visually appealing file uploader in minutes.
Historically Plupload comes from dark and hostile age of no HTML5, hence all the alternative fallbacks, like Flash, Silverlight and Java (still in development). It is meant to provide you with an API, that will work anywhere and in any case, in one way or another. But while having very solid fallbacks, Plupload is fully oriented onto a nice and bright future of HTML5.
- Backstory
- Structure
- File API and XHR L2 pollyfills
- Plupload API
- UI Widget
- Queue Widget
- Building Instructions
- Getting Started
- Support
- Contributing
- Contact Us
Plupload has started in times, when uploading a file in responsive and customizable manner was real pain. Internally browsers had only input[type="file"] element, that was ugly and clunky at the same time. One couldn't even change it's visuals, without hiding it and coding another one on top of it from scratch. And then there was no progress indication for upload process... Sounds pretty crazy today.
It was very logical that developers started to look for alternatives and writing their own implementations, using Flash and Java, in order to somehow extend limited browser capabilities. And so did, in a search for reliable and flexible file uploader for our TinyMCE's MCImageManager. Quickly enough though, Plupload grew up so big, that easily split into a standalone project. With major version 2.0 it underwent another huge reconstruction, basically from the ground up, as all the low-level runtime logic has been extracted into separate File API and XHR L2 pollyfills (currently known under combined name of mOxie), giving Plupload a chance to evolve further.
### StructureCurrently Plupload may be considered as consisting of three parts: low-level pollyfills, Plupload API and Widgets (UI and Queue). Initially Widgets were meant to only serve as examples to the API, but quickly formed into fully-functional API implementations that now come bundled with the Plupload API. This has been a source for multiple misconceptions about the API as Widgets were easily mistaken for the Plupload itself, while they are only implementations. Such as any of you can build by yourself out of the API.
- Low-level pollyfills (mOxie) - have their own code base and documentation on GitHub.
- Plupload API
- UI Widget
- Queue Widget
Plupload depends on File API and XHR2 L2 pollyfills that currently have their own repository on GitHub. However in most cases you shouldn't care as we bundle the latest build of mOxie, including full and minified JavaScript source and pre-compiled SWF and XAP components, with the repository here. You can find everything you may need under js/ folder.
But there are cases when you might need a custom build, for example free of unnecessary runtimes, half the original size, etc. Main complexity for this task is caused by the mOxie and its set of additional runtimes, that require special tools on your workstation in order to compile. Consider build instructions for mOxie - everything applies to Plupload as well.
First of all, if you want to build custom Plupload packages you will require Node.js, as this is our build environment of choice. Node.js binaries (as well as Source) are available for all major operating systems.
In addtion to Node.js some additional modules will be required. Change your working directory to where you have extracted Plupload repo and run: node bootstrap. All dependencies will be downloaded and installed automatically. Bootstrap will also try to populate src/moxie/ folder with the actual mOxie source, as Plupload includes it as a sub-module and doesn't contain the source. You should have git installed on your system for this operation to succeed. If you don't have one and you still require the source, you will need to manually download it from the repository and extract to the above folder.
Note: currently for unknown reason, locally installed Node.js modules on Windows, may not be automatically added to the system PATH. So if jake commands below are not recognized you will need to add them manually:
set PATH=%PATH%;%CD%\node_modules\.bin\
We are actively standing behind the Plupload and now that we are done with major rewrites and refactoring, the only real goal that we have ahead is making it as reliable and bulletproof as possible. We are open to all the suggestions and feature requests. We ask you to file the bug reports, if you encounter any. We may not react to them instantly, but we constantly bear them in my mind as we extend the code base.
In addition to dedicated support for those who dare to buy our OEM licenses, we got discussion boards, that basically can be considered as an enormous FAQ, covering every possible application case. And of course you are welcome to file a bug report or feature request, here on GitHub.
### ContributingWe are open to suggestions and code revisions, however there are some rules and limitations that you might want to consider first.
- Code that you contribute will automatically be licensed under the LGPL, but will not be limited to LGPL.
- Although all contributors will get the credit for their work, copyright notices will be changed to Moxiecode Systems AB.
- Third party code will be reviewed, tested and possibly modified before being released.
These basic rules help us earn for the living and ensure that code remains Open Source and compatible with LGPL license. All contributions will be added to the changelog and appear in every release and on the site.
You can read more about how to contribute at: http://www.plupload.com/contributing