I want to build a file upload feature similar to what Gmail has. The goal is to let users upload files smoothly without refreshing the page. I need to use jQuery on the frontend and PHP on the backend.
The main things I’m looking for are:
- Smooth file uploading without page reload
- A progress bar that shows upload status
- Clean user interface
I don’t want to use Flash or any server-side scripts like Perl or CGI. Just pure jQuery and PHP would be perfect.
If getting a working progress bar is too complicated right now, I can skip that part for later. What I really need to know is what jQuery plugins might help with this, or what specific techniques I should research to make this work properly.
Any suggestions on the best approach or recommended libraries?
I’ve handled this exact thing before - jQuery File Upload plugin by Sebastian Tschan is perfect for this. It handles all the AJAX stuff automatically and tracks progress without you having to mess with XMLHttpRequest objects manually. Works great with standard PHP uploads and has solid browser support. Pro tip: definitely add proper error handling for failed uploads. Users get frustrated when stuff breaks and they don’t know why. The plugin also does drag-and-drop right out of the box, which people love. Just make sure your PHP returns proper JSON so the frontend knows what’s happening.
Last year, I implemented a similar feature using XMLHttpRequest combined with FormData. For tracking the upload progress, utilize xhr.upload.addEventListener, which provides real-time updates without needing external plugins. The PHP side is straightforward with move_uploaded_file() and standard validation. Be mindful of default server limits for larger files; checking your php.ini for settings like upload_max_filesize and post_max_size is essential. Avoid excessive DOM updates to maintain performance; I recommend throttling progress updates to every 100ms for a smoother experience. Additionally, always ensure you manage network timeouts and file size errors efficiently to avoid frustrating users.
i’d go with dropzone.js. its dead simple to set up and looks professional out of the box. handles drag/drop, multiple files, and progress bars with minimal config. for php, just process $_FILES like usual but return json so dropzone knows what’s up. i’ve used it for 3 years - rock solid, no compatibility headaches.