# Reading, Writing, and Appending to a Text File

In addition to managing files on the server, you can use CFFILE to read, create, and modify text files.

This gives you the ability to

- Create log files.
- Generate static HTML documents.
- Use text files to store information that can be brought into Web pages.

## Reading a text file

You can use CFFILE to read an existing text file. The file is read into a dynamic parameter which you can use anywhere in the application page. For example, you could read a text file and then insert its contents into a database. Or you could read a text file and then use one of the find and replace functions to modify the contents.

| To read a text file:

1. Create a new file in Studio.
2. Modify the file so that it appears as follows:

       <HTML>
       <HEAD>
           <TITLE>Read a Text File</TITLE>
       </HEAD>

       <BODY>
       Ready to read the file:<BR>
       <CFFILE ACTION="Read"
           FILE="C:\inetpub\wwwroot\mine\message.txt"
           VARIABLE="Message">

       <CFOUTPUT>
           #Message#
       </CFOUTPUT>
       </BODY>
       </HTML>

3. Replace `c:\inetpub\wwwroot\mine\message.txt` with the location and name of a text file on your server.
4. Save the file as `readtext.cfm` and view it in your browser.

## Writing a text file

You can use CFFILE to write a text file based on dynamic content. For example, you could create static HTML files or log actions in a text file.

| To create a form in which to enter data for a text file:

1. Open a new file in Studio.
2. Modify the file so that it appears a follows:

       <HTML>
       <HEAD>
           <TITLE>Put Information into a Text File</TITLE>
       </HEAD>

       <BODY>
       <H2>Put Information into a Text File</H2>

       <FORM ACTION="writetextfileaction.cfm" METHOD="POST">
           <p>Enter you name: <INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="Name" SIZE="25">
           <p>Enter you the name of the file: <INPUT TYPE="text"
       NAME="FileName" SIZE="25">
           <p>Enter your message:</p>
           <INPUT TYPE="textarea" NAME="message"cols=45 rows=6>
           </p>
           <INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME="submit" VALUE="Submit">
       </FORM>

       </BODY>
       </HTML>

3. Save the file as `writetextfileform.cfm` in `myapps` under the Web root directory`.`

| To write a text file:

1. Open a new file in Studio.
2. Modify the file so that it appears as follows:

       <HTML>
       <HEAD>
           <TITLE>Untitled</TITLE>
       </HEAD>
       <BODY>
       <CFFILE ACTION="Write"
           FILE="C:\inetpub\wwwroot\mine\#form.filename#"
           OUTPUT="Created By: #Form.Name#
           #Form.Message# ">
       </BODY>
       </HTML>

3. Modify the path C:\inetpub\wwwroot\mine\ to point to a path on your server.
4. Save the file as `writetextfileaction.cfm`.
5. View the file `writetextfileform.cfm` in your browser, enter values, and submit the form.

The text file is written to the location you specified.

You can use `CFFILE ACTION="Append"` to append additional text to the end of an existing text file, for example, when creating log files.