How can I use a text file as a database in javascript? (Firefox addon)

Question

I have a text file like this:

settings:value
data:integer:boolean
data:integer:boolean
data:integer:boolean
data:integer:boolean
...

I need CRUD operations over this text file using javascript. This file is in the same js file's directory.

EDIT after some comments: This is for a Firefox addon. Maybe we can count with more privileges?

Are you talking client-side JS, with the file in the same directory on the server? — Orbling
– Orbling, Commented Nov 28, 2011 at 18:14
You can't. JavaScript can't edit external files, it can only read them. — Blazemonger
– Blazemonger, Commented Nov 28, 2011 at 18:14
You might want to investigate the HTML5 web storage facilities. Only in newer browsers. — Pointy
– Pointy, Commented Nov 28, 2011 at 18:17
If it is a firefox addon, you should tag it as such - quite a different question in that light. See: developer.mozilla.org/en/Code_snippets/File_I%2F%2FO — Orbling
– Orbling, Commented Nov 28, 2011 at 20:07

Richard JP Le Guen · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-28 18:16:50Z

1

With the FileSystem API... but it will only work on Chrome :(

Other browsers will allow you to read files using the HTML5 File API, but only Chrome will let you write.

answered Nov 28, 2011 at 18:16

Richard JP Le Guen

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4 Comments

Blazemonger Over a year ago

It also only works on local client-side files, not remote ones.

Richard JP Le Guen Over a year ago

@mblase75 - I think that's what he's asking for: the OP commented above says "client-side JS. No server side interaction"

Igor Parra Over a year ago

Yes, It must be a text file (in the client-side -for a Firefox addon-) This addon interacts with a desktop app. The desktop app writes this file and the FF addon read each line and mark one by one as executed.

Richard JP Le Guen Over a year ago

@NomikOS - There's an article on MDN about File I/O which is tagged "extensions"... but I'm not sure if it is deprecated.

Igor Parra · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-29 12:17:42Z

1

SOLVED
YES! It is possible read and write text files in a privileged ambient as it is inside a Firefox addon.
The best solution I have found is using: Basic JavaScript File and Directory IO module and here is a little tutorial about it: File I/O with Firefox Add-ons

answered Nov 29, 2011 at 12:17

Igor Parra

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