How to get a local file via fetch/axios?

Question

For study reasons I need to use some of these network APIs like fetch or axios but to get a LOCAL file, so WITHOUT using fs module, or WITHOUT importing them.

I tried with both fetch and axios, but they have not implemented this "feature" to get a local file, also because I think it's not so secure/safe.

fetch:

return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    fetch('file://users.js')
    .then(data => {
        console.log(data);
        resolve(data);
    })
    .catch(error => {
        console.error('Errore durante il recupero del file:', error);
        reject(error);
    });
});

I get this error:

cause: Error: not implemented... yet...

axios:

return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
        axios.get('file://users.js')
        .then(response => {
            console.log(response.data);
            resolve(response.data);
        })
        .catch(error => {
            console.error('Errore durante il recupero del file:', error);
            reject(error);
        });
    });

I get this error:

generatedMessage: false, code: 'ERR_ASSERTION', actual: 'file:', expected: 'http:', operator: '=='

Is there some other network api that let me to that?

Answer 1

To fetch() files on file: protocol in the browser you can create a browser extension, in "host_permissions" set file:///*, then you can fetch file: protocol using absolute path.

You can also fetch() file: protocol using deno.

Other options include WICG File System Access API showOpenFilePicker() or showOpenDirectoryPicker() where implemented, and <input type="file"> which is implemented in all modern browsers.

Answer 2

You can create an endpoint in your app to send the file by using res.sendFile function.

app.post('/', (req, res, next) => {
const File_Path = req.body.filepath;
res.sendFile(File_Path,{root: __dirname});
});

Now you can call this endpoint providing any path by axios and fetch and it will give you the file data.