Php code to download pdf file from server not working - php

Question

I have written a code to download pdf file from server, but the code is not working and I cant even see the errors
This is the code which I am using.
// place this code inside a php file and call it f.e. "download.php"
$path = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']."/product_images/"; // change the path to fit your websites document structure
fullPath = $path.$_REQUEST['download_file'];
if ($fd = fopen ($fullPath, "r")) {
$fsize = filesize($fullPath);
$path_parts = pathinfo($fullPath);
$ext = strtolower($path_parts["extension"]);
switch ($ext) {
case "pdf":
header("Content-type: application/pdf"); // add here more headers for diff. extensions
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=\"".$path_parts["basename"]."\""); // use 'attachment' to force a download
break;
default;
header("Content-type: application/octet-stream");
header("Content-Disposition: filename=\"".$path_parts["basename"]."\"");
}
header("Content-length: $fsize");
header("Cache-control: private"); //use this to open files directly
while(!feof($fd)) {
$buffer = fread($fd, 2048);
echo $buffer;
}
}
fclose ($fd);
exit;
// example: place this kind of link into the document where the file download is offered:
// Download here
?>
I am fetching the file from database and this is my download link which I am using on my site
<div style="padding-left:320px; padding-top:5px;"><a href="<?php echo URL ?>download.php?download_file=<?php echo $prod_details['specification_pdf']?>">
<img src="<?php echo URL ?>images/download_pdf.png" /></a></div>
</div>
Can anyone please help me in resolving this problem

Answer 1

As say #lasar missing $ in line 2 could be the problem.
I adapt (and test) your code to be more secure (see basename) and direct (see readfile):
<?php
$path = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']."/product_images/"; // change the path to fit your websites document structure
$fullPath = $path.basename($_REQUEST['download_file']);
if (is_readable ($fullPath)) {
$fsize = filesize($fullPath);
$path_parts = pathinfo($fullPath);
$ext = strtolower($path_parts["extension"]);
switch ($ext) {
case "pdf":
header("Content-type: application/pdf"); // add here more headers for diff. extensions
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=\"".$path_parts["basename"]."\""); // use 'attachment' to force a download
break;
default;
header("Content-type: application/octet-stream");
header("Content-Disposition: filename=\"".$path_parts["basename"]."\"");
}
header("Content-length: $fsize");
header("Cache-control: private"); //use this to open files directly
readfile($fullPath);
exit;
} else {
die("Invalid request");
}
// example: place this kind of link into the document where the file download is offered:
// Download here
ADD
see readfile manual page for a good explanation of headers to
download files
REMEMBER due it's nature PHP is well know to damage binary file download, remeber to keep <?php always in 1st line and avoid close tag ?> in PHP-only files