Mechanics of opening PDF Files with IE

[Guest]

We are in the process of developing a web-based application that will have
pdf files posted on a web page.

When someone clicks on the icon, and opens the PDF file in a browser window
to view the file, (invoking Adobe Reader), what occurs on the computer
accessing the file?

Does a tmp file get create on the hard drive representing the pdf file? If
the tmp file is created, is it removed automatically when the browser window
is closed?

Are there any remenents of the pdf file being opened that remain on the hard
drive?

Is a cookie added?

TIA

 

[Jon Kennedy]

When you open a .pdf file from a browser link, no .pdf "temp" file is
created - it appears to open in the Acrobat Reader directly. I tested this
by opening a .pdf file from the web, and then doing a search for that file
while open. Closed the .pdf file, and nothing remained - unless manually
saved, of course. You can also check this by opening a .pdf file using IE,
then navigating back a page, then going forward again, and you'll notice the
document is loaded afresh.

No cookie is created (unless the page is coded to do so).

But, for a better response, you may want to post this issue to one of the
forums at Adobe:
http://www.adobe.com/support/forums/

 

[Gary Smith]

My experience was different. I opened a PDF from a web page in IE, and
while it was open search the Temporary Internet Files. I was easily able
to copy the PDF to another folder. Even after closing the PDF, it did not
disappear from the TIF folder. Closing down IE didn't even make it go
away, although I have the option set to delete temporary files on close.
I could easily spot it when I went to Control Panel > Internet Options >
General > Settings > View Files.

The Windows search function won't search into folders that have the system
attribute set, such as TIF. In order to find files there, you have to
start the search in the TIF folder itself.

When you open a .pdf file from a browser link, no .pdf "temp" file is
created - it appears to open in the Acrobat Reader directly. I tested this
by opening a .pdf file from the web, and then doing a search for that file
while open. Closed the .pdf file, and nothing remained - unless manually
saved, of course. You can also check this by opening a .pdf file using IE,
then navigating back a page, then going forward again, and you'll notice the
document is loaded afresh.