[mod_python] Transparently using mod_python to handle images

Wow! Thanks for the quick answer. I knew it was something simple but 
couldn't quite put my finger on it. I am still something of a mod_python 
n00b.

Graham Dumpleton wrote:

>Rich McDonough wrote ..
>  
>
>>First let me extend my thanks to this group. It is a fountain of useful
>>information.
>>
>>I am sure that this question will be easily answered by someone here, in
>>fact there is probably some code snippets around that will do the deed
>>quickly and easily. I am trying to write a handler that will server 
>>images from a subdirectory. The goal is to have the handler serve the 
>>image and insert a record into a database indicating the referring page,
>>filename, time, etc... It would ideally be a folder within a UserDir, so
>>for this to work the user would have to add the appropriate .htaccess 
>>and index.py files added to it. Users would then just add the images 
>>they want served to the folder, the handler would do the rest.
>>
>>I have been doing this with Zope for a while now but need to move away
>>from zodb due to size issues. Also, my current approach requires the URL
>>to be rather ugly and include an argument (i.e. 
>>http://server/folder/image?sparky.jpg). I would love to get away from 
>>passing the argument in the URL and simply have users place the real 
>>path to the image, then let the handler do the manipulating for me.
>>
>>Does anyone have any quick pointers or examples of such an application?
>>    
>>
>
>I would not recommend using mod_python.publisher for this, use a
>basic content handler instead and you don't have to use form paramaters.
>It is actually quite easy, just put the following code in the images
>directory as "_images.py".
>
>  from mod_python import apache
>
>  import os
>
>  def handler(req):
>
>    if req.filename == __file__:
>      return apache.HTTP_FORBIDDEN
>    elif req.filename == __file__ + 'c':
>      return apache.HTTP_FORBIDDEN
>
>    if os.path.exists(req.filename):
>      apache.log_error("fetch "+req.filename)
>
>    return apache.DECLINED
>
>Modify the log line to what you need as appropriate.
>
>In the .htaccess file for that directory then have:
>
>  SetHandler python-program
>  PythonHandler _images
>
>If you then access:
>
>  /images/foo.gif
>
>It will log the access and then by returning apache.DECLINED
>pushes the request back to Apache which will then send back
>the content of the actual file.
>
>Graham
>
>
>
>
>  
>