How Can I Programmatically Trigger a File Download in a New Tab or Window Using JavaScript or jQuery?

How to Initiate a File Download Using JavaScript/jQuery

Scenario:

You aim to trigger a file download when a user clicks on a specific HTML element using JavaScript or jQuery, but without replacing the current page content. Instead, you want to open the download in a new window or tab.

Solutions:

1. Utilizing an Invisible iframe:

• Create an invisible iframe element with a non-default ID, such as "my_iframe."
• Use the "src" attribute of the iframe to specify the file's URL.

<script>
  function Download(url) {
    document.getElementById("my_iframe").src = url;
  }
</script>

2. Forcing a Download:

• To force the browser to download a file it could otherwise render (e.g., HTML or text), instruct the server to set its MIME type to something meaningless, such as "application/x-please-download-me" or "application/octet-stream."

3. Opening a File in a New Tab (jQuery):

• Set the "target" attribute of the HTML element to "_blank" and provide the file's URL in the "href" attribute.

$('a#someID').attr({target: '_blank', href: 'http://localhost/directory/file.pdf'});

By clicking this link, the file will be downloaded in a new tab or window without affecting the current page.

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